There was a rumor that the workers for the union working on a local pipeline were getting $100 an hour. We looked it up, and they aren't getting that, but journeymen pipe welders in the local union do get $72 an hour plus health insurance, 401k, and pension. The lowest level apprentice starts at $24 an hour.
Based on this, a journeyman welder theoretically makes the same if not more than doctors, and entry level apprentices make the national average salary of a pipe welder.
I figure there's gotta be some drawback to this though, because why wouldn't there be more people pursuing union welding jobs if you get paid a doctorates salary? I also know people who went through welding school and are mighty fine welders that are making in the $20s and never even pursued union.
Are there long layoffs? Are jobs rarely available?