There is no single compulsory licence to work as a welder or boilermaker in South Africa, but the recognised credential is the Occupational Certificate (welder or boilermaker) earned through a QCTO, MERSETA or NAMB trade test. For pressure-vessel, pipeline or structural steel work you also get coded, a process-specific and position-specific qualification done at an accredited inspection authority. Coding is what separates a general fabricator from a high-earning specialist, so it is the single best investment you can make.
How to register and get qualified
This trade rewards formal qualification and coding more than almost any other.
- Welder qualification. The Occupational Certificate in Welding is earned via a QCTO (Quality Council for Trades and Occupations), MERSETA (Manufacturing, Engineering and Related Services Sector Education and Training Authority) or NAMB (National Artisan Moderation Body) trade test. Routes are an apprenticeship of about three years, or RPL (Recognition of Prior Learning) with three or more years of experience plus an N2 or NQF (National Qualifications Framework) Level 3.
- Boilermaker qualification. The trade test runs via MERSETA, CHIETA (Chemical Industries Education and Training Authority) or the QCTO. Entry is Grade 9 plus an apprenticeship, or three years of experience plus N2. Centres include Northlink College, Wheelset Academy and AITF.
- Weld coding. For pressure-vessel, pipeline or structural work, welders are coded to a specific process and position. SANS 2980-1 covers qualification of welders by destructive testing, and SANS EN ISO 9606-1 covers fusion welding qualification for steel. Coding is done at an accredited inspection authority, is process-specific (SMAW, MIG, TIG, FCAW) and position-specific (1G through 6G, with 6G the most demanding).
- Business registration. Register a sole proprietor or a Pty Ltd (private company) with the CIPC (Companies and Intellectual Property Commission), get a SARS (South African Revenue Service) tax number, and register for COIDA (Compensation for Occupational Injuries and Diseases) once you employ anyone. VAT (Value-Added Tax) registration is compulsory only once turnover passes R2.3 million in a 12-month period, the threshold from 1 April 2026; it is voluntary below that.
Kit and start-up costs
Welding and boilermaking carry the highest start-up of these trades. Figures are approximate retail prices, so confirm before buying.
- MIG welder, inverter, 200A: about R8,000 to R15,000.
- TIG welder for coded work, 200A (about R12,000 to R25,000, or hire at first).
- Angle grinders, a 115 mm and a 230 mm: about R4,000.
- Grinding and cutting discs: buy in bulk as consumables.
- Welding table or fabrication bench (about R5,000, or make one from scrap at first).
- Steel measuring tools, squares and clamps: about R3,000.
- Drill press and a cordless drill: about R5,000.
- Full PPE: helmet, gloves, leather apron, goggles and boots: about R4,000.
- A bakkie for site work: finance or buy used.
A realistic launch kit lands at roughly R40,000 to R70,000. The TIG welder is the one item worth hiring until coded work pays for it.
What you can charge (estimates)
Rates in this trade are wide because coding changes everything. The benchmarks below are guidance estimates, drawn from Payscale and a training academy, not a published tariff; treat them as a starting point and quote each job.
- Welder average: roughly R66 per hour, with a Payscale range of about R33 to R119.
- Boilermaker average: roughly R101 per hour, with a Payscale range of about R48 to R159.
- Semi-skilled welder: around R48 per hour.
- Coded welder (TIG or high-pressure): roughly R180 to R350 per hour on contract rates, with monthly earnings of R30,000 to R50,000 or more in specialised sectors.
The jump from semi-skilled to coded is the clearest earnings story in any trade we cover, which is why coding is worth chasing early.
Safety
The OHS Act (Occupational Health and Safety Act 85 of 1993) and the Construction Regulations apply. Hot-work permits are required on occupied sites, and a fire watch is needed for torch or welding work near combustibles. PPE means a welding helmet of the right shade, leather gloves and apron, safety boots and ear protection. Fume extraction is mandatory in confined spaces, and your welding certificates must be kept on site.
Common mistakes
- Staying general instead of getting coded. Coding is the difference between R66 and R180 an hour; it pays for itself fast.
- Under-investing in PPE. Arc eye, burns and fume exposure are cumulative; cheap gear is a false economy.
- Skipping the hot-work permit. No permit and no fire watch on an occupied site is a serious OHS Act breach.
- Letting coding lapse. Codes are time-limited and process-specific; keep them current or you cannot legally do the premium work.
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