McKenna Boiler Works

Welding Worker

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.

McKenna Boiler Works

Welding Worker

Meet Technical Supervisor, Victor Romero, who tells us about his job at family-owned small business McKenna Boiler Works in Oceanside. Most manufacturing utilizes boilers, from your food processing, textile businesses, hotels, breweries, government buildings and military facilities. Victor says having a mechanical or electrical background is helpful for this career, but no college education is required. 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. Victor’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.

CAREER SNAPSHOT

AVERAGE WAGE

$73,869/yr

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

OUTLOOK

Hot

This career has a high demand. There is rapid growth, and employers are expected to increase hiring for these role

INDUSTRY

Advanced Manufacturing

Uses innovative technology to enhance product quality, increase efficiency, and enable customization

EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES

MiraCosta College

Welding

Learn More

MiraCosta College

Quality Assurance Basics for Manufacturing

Learn More

MiraCosta College

Welding Technology

Learn More

Is This Career Right For YOU?

What are the top traits for this career?

Realistic

You enjoy working with tools, equipment, and physical environments

Conventional

You like figuring out how things work and analyzing situations to find solutions

Realistic

You enjoy working with tools, equipment, and physical environments

Find my top traits