Sheet and structural metal workers, moulders and welders, and other related workers

How to become a welder or flamecutter

Official title: Welders and flamecutters

Also called: Brazier, Flame cutter, Welder

Welders and flame cutters weld and cut metal parts using gas flame, electric arc and other sources of heat to melt and cut, or to melt and fuse metal.

Main tasks

Welding metal parts using gas flame, or an electric arc, thermite compound or other methods
Operating resistance-welding machines
Using blowtorches to make and repair lead linings, pipes, floors and other lead fixtures
Brazing metal parts together
Cutting metal pieces using gas flame or an electric arc
Joining metal parts by hand soldering
Monitoring the fitting, burning and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion or expansion of material
Examining work pieces for defects and measuring work pieces with straight edges or templates to ensure conformity with specifications

Ways in

Licence or registration: Registering body: Construction Industry Council. Law: Construction Workers Registration Ordinance (建造業工人註冊條例), Cap. 583. Summary by Peernovo; check the body's current rules.

Pay · Outlook · AI and this job

Median pay: HK$21,000 a month
About 387,500 people in 2025, and about 403,200 projected by 2028. (+4.1%)
Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Questions people ask

Do you need a degree to become a welder or flamecutter?

Usually not. Only 4% of people in this job hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Will AI change the work of a welder or flamecutter?

Generative AI can do relatively little of this work, by the ILO's global estimate.

Sources

Census and Statistics Department (2021 Population Census): 2021 Population Census, Interactive Data Dissemination Service: working population by occupation (38 groups) and sex, age, education, income; median income and field of education (9 groups) (2021 Population Census), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department (General Household Survey): Median monthly employment earnings by occupation (9 groups), excluding foreign domestic helpers (Table 210-06317A); employed persons by occupation, age and sex (210-06307A) and by industry (210-06308A) (2025 annual (series to 2026-07)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Labour and Welfare Bureau; tables published by C&SD: Mid-term Update of Manpower Projection to 2028: supplementary statistical tables (5 occupation groups, 17 selected industries) (2025 to 2028 (published 2026-09)), retrieved 4 October 2026
Census and Statistics Department: Average daily wages of workers engaged in public sector construction projects, 39 trades (Table 220-20001) (Monthly, 2021 series, 2026-07), retrieved 4 October 2026
International Labour Organization, Generative AI and Jobs: A Refined Global Index of Occupational Exposure (ILO Working Paper 140, Gmyrek et al.) (ILO Working Paper 140, May 2025, Annex Table A1), CC BY 4.0, retrieved 4 October 2026

Updated 4 October 2026