Welding Worker (Production Manager)

Welding Worker (Production Manager)

McKenna Boiler Works | Advanced Manufacturing

Average Wage for this Career

$73,869 *This figure represents the median wage for this career in San Diego County and not the wages of any specific interviewee

Occupational Outlook

HOT

Meet Production Manager, Jimmie Davalos, who tells us about his job at family-owned small business McKenna Boiler Works in Oceanside. Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join, repair, or cut metal parts and products. Jimmie says he learned the tools of the trade in vocational school and on the job. One tip he gives for precision-perfect products is: “Measure twice, cut once.” Although being a trained welder like Jimmie is helpful when manufacturing boilers at McKenna Boiler, the family-owned business is considering offering its own, in-house training. McKenna Boiler Works is a 5th generation, family-owned boiler manufacturing company that has been serving southern California for more than 100 years. Steam from boilers is used in almost every production line, from record producers to pharmaceuticals and even clothing manufacturers. Important qualities for welders include the following soft skills: Detail oriented; Manual dexterity; and Spatial-orientation skills. Jimmie’s story is sponsored by the City of Oceanside. Learn more about being a welder at the Occupational Outlook Handbook provided by the U.S. Department of Labor. Read the U.S. Department of Labor’s Advanced Manufacturing Competency Model.