So this is a tricky question. Where I'm from you'll either make a crapload of money by going welding in mines or you'll be poorly paid if you want to work not too far of the city.

In my case I couldn't go work in mines. After 7 years as a welder I barely made more than someone who worked at McDonalds. Odds are this answer is completely useless if you're in another country tho. I (think) there's decent cash to be made in the US.