Railcar Welder is a skilled professional who welds and repairs railcars, also known as railroad cars or rolling stock. The tasks include various components of railcars, including the frame, body, undercarriage, and mechanical systems. Railcar welders play a crucial role in maintaining the safety of railcars and ensuring their smooth operation. Individuals possessing a welder’s qualifications can perform these jobs, but they require certain railcar-oriented skills and an education. So, in this article, read all about the railcar welder job description in detail.
Post Highlights:
- Position Levels
- Education Level
- Course Types
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Equipment Types
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Demands
- Resume Format
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
- Benefits/Perks
Position Levels
Some common job levels include-
- Entry-Level Welder
- Certified Welder
- Journeyman Welder
- Specialized Welder
- Certified Railcar Welder
- Lead Welder or Supervisor
- Inspector/Quality Control Specialist
Education Level
Some typical education levels include-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent
- Vocational or Technical Training
- Apprenticeship or On-the-Job Training
- Relevant AWS Welding Certification
- Specialized Training Program
- Diploma/Degree in Engineering/Metallurgy (optional)
Course Types
Some common course types include-
- Advanced Welding Course
- Rail Industry Training Program
- Railcar Inspection/Quality Control Course
- Railcar Maintenance/Systems Course
- Railcar Welding Certification Course
- Specialized Course (railcar welding techniques)
- Welding Safety/Regulations Course
- Welding Technology Program (railcar emphasis)
Certification/License
Some common certification types include-
- AWS Railcar Welding Certifications-
AWS Certified Welder
AWS Certified Rail Welder (CRAW)
AWS Certified Rail Welding Inspector (CRWI)
AWS Certified Railcar Welder (CARW)
- AREMA Certification-
AREMA Certified Welder
- Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) Certification
Level I or Level II NDT certification
- Manufacturer-Specific Certification
- NCCER Railcar Welding Certification
- Rail Industry-Specific Certification
Work Experience
Some common experience types include-
- Component repair experience
- General welding experience
- Leadership/supervisory experience
- Non-destructive testing (NDT) experience
- Quality control/inspection experience
- Rail joint welding experience
- Railcar body/frame welding experience
- Safety training/compliance experience
- Undercarriage welding experience
Duties/Responsibilities
Some common duties include-
- Address issues such as rust, cracks, damage, and worn-out parts
- Collaborate with railcar maintenance professionals
- Communicate with team members effectively
- Conduct NDT inspections on railcar welds/components
- Conduct thorough inspections of railcars
- Determine the extent of repairs needed
- Ensure proper welding equipment/tools maintenance
- Ensure welding work meets industry-specific standards
- Evaluate the condition of welds/components
- Fabricate/weld new components into place
- Fabricate/weld replacement parts
- Follow strict safety protocols
- Maintain detailed records of welding/repair activities
- Perform quality checks on completed welds/repairs
- Perform rail joint welding
- Perform repairs on railcar bodies/other structural elements
- Perform welding tasks using various welding processes
- Remove/replace damaged railcar components
- Report equipment issues/repairs as needed
- Stay up-to-date with industry-specific regulations
- Train less experienced welders as needed
- Use personal protective equipment (PPE)
Equipment Types
Some common equipment types include-
- MIG (Metal Inert Gas) welders
- TIG (Tungsten Inert Gas) welders
- Stick welders (SMAW – Shielded Metal Arc Welding)
- Rail welding machines for specialized rail joint welding
Cutting Equipment-
- Abrasive cut-off saws
- Oxy-fuel cutting torches
- Plasma cutters
Welding Consumables-
- Welding electrodes
- Wires
- Shielding gases
- Fluxes
Welding Accessories-
- Welding helmets
- Gloves
- Aprons
- Safety glasses
- Welding curtains
Grinding/Finishing Tools-
- Angle grinders
- Wire brushes
NDT Equipment-
- Ultrasonic testing (UT) equipment
- Magnetic particle testing (MT) equipment
- Dye penetrant testing (PT) materials
- Radiographic testing (RT) equipment
Clamps/Fixtures-
- Magnetic clamps
- Welding tables
Measuring Instruments-
- Calipers
- Levels
- Squares
- Tape measures
Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)-
- Flame-resistant clothing
- Safety glasses
- Steel-toed boots
- Welding gloves
- Welding helmets
Railcar Maintenance Tools-
- Hammers
- Hydraulic jacks
- Socket sets
- Wrenches
Welding Positioners (turning rolls)
Power Sources (generators/electrical outlets)
Abilities/Skills
Some essential skills include-
- Ability to analyze problems
- Ability to work as part of a team
- Able to obtain relevant certifications
- Able to produce high-quality welds
- Attention to detail
- Basic mathematical skills
- Blueprint reading skills
- Effective communication skills
- Expertise in various welding processes
- Good work adaptability
- Mechanical aptitude
- Problem-solving skills
- Railcar systems knowledge
- Strong commitment to quality control
- Understanding of non-destructive testing (NDT) methods
- Known to safety protocols/regulations
Work Environment
Some common working conditions include-
- Expose to various weather conditions
- Exposure to fumes/gases
- Exposure to welding hazards
- May handle safety inspections/audits
- May need to travel to different rail yards/job sites
- May operate heavy equipment
- May require to work in confined spaces
- May require to work in non-standard hours
- Must adhere to strict safety protocols
- Must dress appropriately for changing conditions
- Often work as part of a team
- Subject to quality assurance
- Use proper hearing protection
- Wear personal protective equipment (PPE)
- Work both indoors and outdoors
- Work in noisy environments
Physical Demands
Some common physical demands include-
- Able to maintain a stable posture while working
- Adaptable to changing weather conditions
- Climbing in and out of railcars is common
- Demands a steady hand and precision
- Exposure to heat sources/high temperatures
- Exposure to prolonged noise and vibrations
- Exposure to weather elements
- May need to bend down or stoop
- May need to climb ladders or railcar structures
- May operate heavy equipment
- May require repetitive movements
- May require kneeling or crawling on hands/knees
- Often lift/carry heavy equipment/materials
- Often work for long hours
- Working in confined spaces can be physically demanding
Resume Format
A suggested resume format includes-
Contact Information
- Your full name
- Address (optional)
- Phone number
- Email address
Objective (Optional)
- Summarize your career goals briefly
Summary of Qualifications (Optional)
- List of your related qualifications and skills
Skills
- List your technical skills
- Any other relevant skills
Certifications
- List your related certifications
- Also include the certifying organization, certification name, and date obtained
Professional Experience
- List your job experience (most recent first)
- For each job, include-
Job Title
Company Name
Location
Dates of Employment
Job Description
Education
- List your educational background (most recent first)
- This should include-
Degree/Certificate Earned
School Name
Location
Graduation Date
Professional Associations (Optional)
- Mention here the membership of relevant professional associations or industry groups (if you have one)
References (Optional)
- Generally, not required (available upon request later)
Resume Formatting Tips-
- Keep the formatting consistent throughout the resume
- Use bullet points for more readability
- Tailor your resume to the specific job description
- Proofread carefully (no spelling or grammar errors)
- Keep your resume concise (1-2 pages)
- Use a clean and professional font (11-12 points)
Top Industries
Some common employment areas include-
- Contracting/Consulting Firms
- Freight/Logistics Companies
- Government Agencies
- Maintenance of Way (MOW) Crews
- Private Contractors
- Railcar Inspection/Certification Services
- Railcar Leasing/Leasing Management Companies
- Railcar Leasing/Sales Companies
- Railcar Manufacturing Facilities
- Railcar Repair/Maintenance Shops
- Railroad Companies
- Transit Authorities
Job Types
Some common job types include-
- Contract Railcar Welder
- Lead Railcar Welder
- Quality Control Specialist
- Rail Welder (rail joint welder)
- Railcar Fabrication Manager
- Railcar Fabricator
- Railcar Inspector
- Railcar Maintenance Technician
- Railcar Repair Technician
- Railcar Welder
- Safety Inspector/Safety Coordinator
- Welding Instructor/Trainer
Salary Information
On average, a Railcar Welder earns $23 per hour in the United States. But factors like education, certification, skills, specific roles, location, company size, and employer types affect salary trends.
However, the approximate salary ranges for railcar welders include.
Hourly Wage
- Entry-Level – $15 to $25
- Experienced – $25 to $35 or more
- Highly Experienced/Certified – $35 to $45 or more
Monthly Salary
- Entry-Level – $2,600 to $4,300
- Experienced – $4,300 to $5,800 or more
- Highly Experienced/Certified – $5,800 to $7,200 or more
Annual Salary
- Entry-Level – $31,200 to $51,600
- Experienced – $51,600 to $69,600 or more
- Highly Experienced/Certified – $69,600 to $93,600 or more
These salary figures are just estimates, and actual ranges can vary from place to place depending on various local market trends, and labor demands. Railcar welders with advanced certifications may command higher salaries.
Benefits/Perks
Some common benefits include-
- Bonuses/Incentives
- Career Advancement Opportunities
- Employee Assistance Programs (EAP)
- Employee Discounts
- Employee Referral Programs
- Health/Wellness Programs
- Healthcare Benefits
- Overtime Pay
- Paid Time Off (PTO)
- Retirement Plans (401k)
- Safety Gear/Equipment Provision
- Safety Recognition Awards
- Training/Development Opportunities
- Travel/Per Diem Provision
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Union Membership Benefits
- Union Representation
- Work-Life Balance Initiatives
Summary
Railcar Welders are hard-working people and play a critical role in the construction, repair, and maintenance of railcars. They ensure safety and reliability in the transportation industry. These individuals possess specialized welding skills and knowledge. Railcar welders perform physically demanding tasks and work in various related industries. They enjoy a range of benefits and perks along with good hourly, monthly, and yearly salaries. Overall, the profession of a railcar welder is crucial for the completed maintenance of railcar industry activities.
