Welder Job Description

Welder is a skilled person who employs a welding process with certain parameters to fuse different metals for achieving desired weld shapes. They may use either of the welding processes SMAW, GMAW, GTAW, FCAW, etc. Besides this, welders manage machines repairing and manufacturing tools, metal structures, and equipment. Welders are required in almost all modern industries such as construction, manufacturing, automotive, and space agencies. In addition to this, welders test welding fields and plan layouts. So, go through the welder job description and know all the aspects.

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Post Highlights:

• Position Levels
• Educational Qualifications
• Course Types
• Certification/License
• Work Experience
• Duties/Responsibilities
• Welding Equipment
• Abilities/Skills
• Work Environment
• Physical Requirements
• Resume Format
• Top Industries
• Job Types
• Salary Information
• Benefits/Perks

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Position Levels

The position levels include-

• Entry-Level Welder
• Junior Welder
• Certified Welder
• Senior Welder
• Welding Inspector
• Welding Supervisor/Foreman

Educational Qualifications

The basic education level for becoming a Welder is given below. Yet some employers only demand work experience in place of education level.

• High School Diploma or GED
• Vocational School Diploma or Graduation
• Technical or Trade School Certificate

Find Welding Schools

Course Types

Some common course types include-

• Arc Welding Course
• Basic Welding Course
• Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) Course
• MIG Welding Course
• Pipe Welding Course
• TIG Welding Course
• Welding Inspection Course

Check Welding Programs

Certification/License

Certification is a test of applicants’ skills and leadership roles. welders require certification from any of the recognized or accredited schools such as the American Welding Society. Certification is necessary for getting a job in most industries. They should have certification in the welding positions like 1G, 2G, 3G, 4G, 5G, and 6G, etc. 

Welders need to prepare so many questions and answers for the welding exam. All the basic concepts of welding should be cleared.

Certification in forklift operation

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Work Experience

Keep hands on the following works-

• Experience with welding stainless steel and mild steel
• Fabricating/welding experience
• Forklift and heavy equipment experience
• Hydraulic and mechanical experience
• ISO and SAP experience
• Manufacturing and production working experience

How to Become a Welder?

Applicants require certain qualifications for becoming welders. They should have both educational level and work experience. First, they should enroll in welding programs for certificates, diplomas, degrees, associates, masters, etc. There are so many welding schools in the United States, both public and private.

Duties/Responsibilities

The job functions are as follows-

• Assemble/fabricate equipment and metal structures
• Comply with the health/safety programs
• Fit/weld according to drawing specifications
• Follow senior official orders
• Inform management of needed maintenance operations
• Inspect products and make their list
• Interpret blueprints, sketches, and diagrams
• Keep records and maintain inventory of the parts
• Maintain a neat clean work area
• Maintain punctuality and daily time records
• Observe safety reports and regulations
• Operate mobile cranes
• Perform machine-to-machine material handling
• Perform preventative maintenance
• Produce metal products based on employer requirements
• Provide guidance and training to others
• Repair metal structures of different sizes
• Set up and perform welding operations
• Show mutual respect for co-workers
• Use basic hand tools
• Ready to work any other duty if assigned

Welding Equipment

Some common welding equipment includes-

• Chipping Hammer/Wire Brush
• Electrodes/Filler Materials
• Gas Cylinders/Regulators
• Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
• Welding Clamps/Fixtures
• Welding Machine (Power Source)
• Welding Shield/Helmet
• Welding Table/Workbench
• Welding Torch/Gun

Abilities/Skills

• Able to use precision measuring tools
• Basic computer skills (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Ability to weld and fitting pipe from drawings
• Ability to work both night and day shifts
• Ability to work with precision instruments
• Detail-oriented and consistent
• Excellent written/oral communication skills
• Flexibility and adaptability
• General knowledge of hand and power tools
• Understanding of basic welding operations
• Mechanical aptitude
• Must be familiar with blueprints
• Must have sheet metal fabrications skills
• Observe safety/security procedures
• Read/interpret mechanical drawings
• Read, write, and converse effectively in English

Work Environment

• Use required personal protective equipment (PPE)
• Able to work in a supportive team environment
• Regular exposure to extreme temperatures, wet or humid conditions, electric shock, moving mechanical parts, fumes and airborne particles, loud noises, chemicals, etc.

Physical Requirements

• Lift heavy-weight metals and travel capability
• Requires use of hand and power tools applicable to trade
• Requires close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus
• Frequently standing, walking, reaching, and use of hands

Safety Gears

• Hard Hat
• Hearing Protection
• Composite Toe Safety Shoes
• Additional PPE as per the appropriate JSA for the specific area

Resume Format

A general resume format includes-

Contact Information

• Full Name
• Address
• Phone Number
• Email Address
• LinkedIn Profile (optional)

Summary/Objective

• Concise and impactful statement (experience as a welder)
• Tailor this section to the specific job you’re applying for

Skills

• List your relevant welding skills
• Include a mix of technical and soft skills

Experience

• List your work experience (most recent first)
• For each position, include-
• Job Title
• Company Name and Location
• Dates of Employment (Month/Year – Month/Year)
• Your responsibilities and achievements
• Focus on quantifiable accomplishments
• Include any special projects, certifications, or processes

Education

• List your relevant educational background
• Degree or Certification Earned
• School/Institution Name and Location
• Dates of Attendance (Month/Year – Month/Year)

Certifications

• Highlight any relevant certifications
• Any other specialized certifications

Projects (Optional)

• Mention any welding project that briefly describes your role

References

• Generally, not necessary (can provide later if required)

Resume Formatting Tips-

• Use a clean and professional font
• Keep the resume organized by using bullet points
• Use action verbs to describe your accomplishments
• Customize your resume for each job application

Top Industries

The working areas are as follows-

• Construction Industry
• Aerospace Industry
• Automotive Industry
• Steel Industry
• Shipbuilding Industry
• Manufacturing Industry
• Welding Shops
• Welding Unions
• Mobile Welding

Check Welding Companies

Job Types

The job titles are as follows-

• Aerospace Welder
• Bridge Welder
• Code Welder
• Industrial Maintenance Welder
• Industrial Maintenance Welder
• Maintenance Welder
• Offshore Welder
• Pipe Welder
• Pressure Vessel Welder
• Robotic Welder
• Structural Welder
• Underwater Welder
• Union Welder
• Welder
• Welder Crew Leader
• Welder Fabricator
• Welder Helper
• Welder Machinist

Browse Welding Jobs

Salary Information

The monthly salary of welders varies from place to place and industry to industry. Skilled welders earn more than unskilled ones. However, welders having hands-on advanced equipment have more earning scope. The average base salary of a welder is $20.84 hourly, $3,142 monthly and $44,377 yearly in the United States. The highest hourly paying cities are Chicago ($27.03), Phoenix ($23.14), Houston ($22.57), and Baton Rouge ($22.17).

The main factors which affect monthly salary are competition in the market, the level of skilled welders, the volume of manufacturing activities, salary trends, etc. Welders willing to work in remote parts have more job scope with a good salary.

Benefits/Perks

The most common benefits are as follows-

401(k) Plan	Opportunities for Advancement
AD&D Insurance	Paid Time Off
Dental Insurance	Parental Leave
Disability Insurance	Professional Development Assistance
Employee Assistance Program	Profit Sharing
Employee Discount	Referral Program
Flexible Schedule	Relocation Assistance
Flexible Spending Account	Retirement Plan
Health Insurance	Tuition Reimbursement
Health Savings Account	Vision Insurance
Life Insurance	Wellness Program

Summary

Welders play a crucial role in metal fabrication in various industries. They employ their sharp welding skills to give different shapes to metal or various structures. The profession requires certain qualifications, experience, certification, skills, etc. The salary trends for welders differ from place to place depending on various local factors. Overall, welders are the base of various welding activities in the metal industry.

Related: Other Welding Careers