Welding Job Description
What Is a Welder?
A welder works with metal to join, repair, or build structures and components. They use heat-based tools in various settings such as construction sites, factories, or repair shops. Welders play a key role in many industries where metalwork is required.
What Does a Welder Do?
Welders use heat and tools to fuse metal parts together. They read blueprints, set up equipment, and select the proper welding method for each task. Their work includes cutting, shaping, and finishing metal components with precision. Safety and accuracy are essential to create strong, lasting joints in various applications.
Welder Responsibilities
- Interpret blueprints and technical drawings
- Set up and operate welding equipment
- Select appropriate materials and welding methods\
- Weld metal parts according to specifications
- Inspect welds for quality and accuracy
- Maintain tools and equipment
- Follow safety procedures and industry regulations
Welder Duties
- Cleaning and preparing metal surfaces before welding
- Measuring and cutting materials to required dimensions
- Positioning and securing parts using clamps or fixtures
- Monitoring welding conditions and adjusting settings as needed
- Filling holes, seams, and joints with molten metal
- Grinding and polishing finished welds\
- Documenting completed work and reporting issues
Welder Skills, Certification, and Training
Welder Skills
To succeed in professional welding, you need steady hands, good vision, and strong concentration. Knowledge of safety procedures and various welding techniques matters. You should be able to read blueprints, handle tools precisely, and work in different environments. Physical strength and stamina help with demanding tasks. Problem-solving and attention to detail also support high-quality work.
- Attention to detail for precise welds and measurements
- Manual dexterity for steady hand control and tool handling
- Physical stamina to work in demanding environments
- Technical knowledge of welding techniques and equipment
- Math skills for reading measurements and calculating dimensions
- Problem-solving to adjust methods and fix welding defects
Welder Training
Welder training includes classroom instruction and hands-on practice to build technical knowledge and practical skills. Trainees learn safety protocols, welding techniques, blueprint reading, and equipment use. Programs may be offered through trade schools, community colleges, or apprenticeships and often lead to certification recognized by employers in various industries. Examples of training include:
- Safety procedures and OSHA standards
- Welding processes (MIG, TIG, Stick)
- Blueprint reading and metal layout
- Equipment setup and maintenance
- Welding codes and inspection standards
Welder Certification
Welder certification involves passing a hands-on welding test supervised by a certified inspector. The test evaluates technique, accuracy, and weld quality based on specific codes or standards. Certification may vary by process, position, or material type and is typically issued by organizations like the American Welding Society (AWS). Examples of certification include:
- AWS Certified Welder (CW)
- ASME Section IX Certification
- API 1104 Pipeline Welding Certification
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
- Structural Welding Code Certification (D1.1)
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Welder Salary and Career Outlook
Welder Salary
The average hourly wage for welders is approximately $21.58, equating to an annual salary of about $44,886, based on a standard 40-hour workweek. Factors such as experience, certifications, and specific industries can influence individual earnings.​
Benefits of a Welder Job
- Stable employment with consistent demand across industries.
- Opportunities for skill development and career advancement.
- Competitive pay with benefits such as healthcare and retirement plans.
Welder Interview Questions
Welding interviews typically include questions about your technical skills, safety awareness, past experience, and familiarity with different welding methods. Employers want to assess your problem-solving ability, reliability, and knowledge of industry standards. Be ready to discuss specific jobs you’ve handled and how you maintain quality and safety on the job. Some questions include:
- What types of welding processes are you most comfortable with?
- Can you describe a time you identified and fixed a welding defect?
- How do you prepare metal surfaces before welding?
- What safety procedures do you always follow?
- Have you worked with blueprints or technical drawings?
- How do you handle tight deadlines or production pressure?
- What materials have you welded most frequently?
Welder Job Roles We Place
by Industry and Function
Manufacturing
MIG Welder: Uses Metal Inert Gas (MIG) welding to assemble metal components in a production environment. Often works with carbon steel or aluminum, handling repetitive tasks with a focus on speed and accuracy to meet daily production quotas.
Fabrication Welder: Reads technical drawings to fabricate custom metal parts or structures from raw materials. Uses a variety of welding methods and hand tools, typically in a shop setting, where precision and adaptability are essential.
Maintenance Welder: Repairs worn or damaged parts on production equipment, conveyors, and structural supports. Works closely with maintenance technicians to troubleshoot problems and perform welds that restore function without halting operations for long periods.
Construction
Structural Welder: Welds large beams, girders, and columns for buildings, stadiums, and bridges. Must be comfortable working at heights and in all weather conditions while delivering strong welds that support heavy loads.
Pipe Welder: Fuses steel or alloy pipes used in plumbing, gas, or HVAC systems. Requires knowledge of pressurized welding standards and tight tolerances, especially when working on commercial or industrial construction sites.
Rebar Welder: Tack-welds steel reinforcing bars that support concrete in foundations, columns, or walls. Often works with pre-bent or customized forms and must understand placement layouts and structural plans.
Shipbuilding
Hull Welder: Performs full-penetration welds on a ship’s main body, creating strong, watertight seams. Works on new vessels or repairs, sometimes in confined spaces, often under strict quality standards.
Pipe Welder (Marine): Joins piping systems that carry fluids throughout the vessel. Requires experience with multiple alloys and working in compact, awkward spaces while meeting marine safety codes.
Outfitter Welder: Installs fixtures like bulkheads, stairwells, or brackets in ship interiors. May use multiple welding techniques and work closely with carpenters, painters, and engineers to match design specs.
Automotive
Production Line Welder: Works on fast-paced assembly lines welding vehicle frames, doors, or exhaust systems. Focuses on consistent weld quality and adherence to cycle times using robotic or semi-automated systems.
Custom Fabrication Welder: Builds and modifies high-performance vehicle parts such as roll cages, turbo manifolds, or suspension components. Requires strong attention to detail and craftsmanship for aesthetic and functional results.
Spot Welder: Uses resistance welding to create small, precise welds on overlapping sheets of metal. Often used in body panel assembly and typically operated through a robotic or handheld system.
Oil and Gas
Pipeline Welder: Specializes in joining sections of pipe used for transporting oil, gas, or chemicals. Works in remote areas and must pass rigorous X-ray and bend tests for high-pressure weld integrity.
Rig Welder: Installs and repairs structural and mechanical components on oil rigs. Must be prepared to work in extreme conditions with a high level of safety awareness and physical endurance.
Tank Welder: Builds and repairs large containment tanks for oil or chemical storage. Uses vertical and overhead welds, sometimes inside the tanks, and complies with industry codes for corrosion and pressure resistance.
Agriculture and Heavy Equipment
Equipment Repair Welder: Fixes broken or worn components on tractors, harvesters, or construction machinery. Often handles field repairs where welding must be done quickly and durably under rough conditions.
Frame Welder: Builds and reinforces metal frames for trailers, loaders, or transport rigs. Requires strong joint penetration and consistent welds to handle vibration and impact stress.
Tooling Welder: Fabricates and modifies tools or custom attachments used in fieldwork, including plows, seeders, and grader blades. Must interpret schematics and accommodate various soil or crop requirements.
Power Generation
Boilermaker Welder: Constructs and repairs steam boilers, tanks, and pressure vessels. Works with thick-gauge steel under high-pressure conditions, usually in confined and hot environments.
Turbine Welder: Performs welding on turbine casings, blades, and related components in power plants. Precision and metallurgical knowledge are required due to temperature and pressure demands.
Utility Pipe Welder: Joins pipes for steam, water, or gas distribution inside plants. Must pass code tests and work in tight, vertical, or elevated positions.
Railroad
Railcar Welder: Repairs or fabricates railcars, including structural frames, couplers, and floors. May use a mix of Stick, MIG, and Flux-Core techniques, depending on material type.
Track Welder: Performs thermite or arc welding on rail tracks for maintenance or installation. Works outdoors, often in mobile teams, with a focus on safety and efficiency.
Component Welder: Builds or rebuilds small parts for braking systems, suspension components, or couplers in rail systems. Requires attention to mechanical tolerances and repetitive precision.
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