Letters matter to welders. A, B and C, for example, are grades that employers use to determine a welder’s current ability, work assignments and pay scale. Letter A is the highest grade, followed by B and C.

Also important are the letters AWS, which stand for the American Welding Society. The organization offers a wide range of certificates to welders who pass specified tests. Because OEM and Tier 1 customers increasingly require their products be welded exclusively by AWS-certified welders, those with this certification have an advantage over fellow workers and job seekers.