Welding Technician is a skilled professional who employs welding techniques, welding processes, materials, standards, and equipment to bond metals together to form component parts. They handle the material selection, fabrication design input, welding, material forming, visual, and NDE Inspections. Welding Technicians also assist welding engineering personnel with the application, development, documentation, and evaluation of welding equipment, and techniques.
Post Highlights:
- Educational Qualifications
- Certification/License
- Work Experience
- Duties/Responsibilities
- Abilities/Skills
- Work Environment
- Physical Requirements
- Top Industries
- Job Types
- Salary Information
Educational Qualifications
Welding Technicians require the following educational levels-
- High School Diploma or Equivalent (minimum)
- Bachelor’s Degree in Welding, Material Science, Welding Engineering (advanced)
- Associate Degree in Welding, Metals Fabrication, Engineering Technology (preferred)
- Certificate in Welding, Metals Fabrication, Machining, Robotic Welding (recommended)
Certification/License
- AWS Certified Welder (recommended)
Work Experience
- Possess welding-related work experience (recommended)
- Apprenticeship program (advanced)
- May require production or manufacturing experience in welding
Duties/Responsibilities
- Assess welding process to key manufacturing variables
- Assess welding processes to high volume automotive body construction applications
- Aware of stainless steel, carbon steel, and aluminum welding practices
- Characterize welded joints’ mechanical/metallurgical properties
- Conduct non-destructive evaluation and destructive teardown of welded assemblies
- Conduct training programs/field service activities
- Interpret welding requirements and troubleshoot welding problems
- Operate automated, manual, and robotic welding cells/equipment
- Perform welds in all welding positions
- Read/interpret drawings and engineering designs for fabrication
- Set up, operate, and adjust numerically controlled drilling/boring machines
- Set up/operate welding and joining processes
- Support plant trials, equipment life testing, and prototype builds
- Work in cross-functional engineering teams
Abilities/Skills
- Able to operate forklift trucks
- Effective written and oral communication
- Identify weld discontinuities and read blueprints
- Motivated and self-directed
- Operating overhead cranes (training provided)
- Oxy-fuel/plasma cutting experience
- Possess an organized and detail-oriented mind
- Proficient in automated arc welding and cutting processes
- Require to work outside in all weather conditions
- Strong analytical/problem-solving skills
- Work in a team environment and unsupervised
Work Environment
- Able to work at height or in a confined space
- Handle field service on active construction sites
- May be exposed to fumes, noise, and dangerous materials
- May travel to different worksites
- Work in shop or lab environments
Physical Requirements
- Capable of lifting 50 lbs. from floor to waist
- Capable of pushing or pulling a weight of 60 lbs.
Top Industries
Manufacturing-
- Aerospace/Aviation Components
- Agricultural Equipment
- Automotive Components
- Electronic Devices
Infrastructure-
- Bridge/Highway Construction
- Building/Structural Components
- Utilities/Capital Projects
Transportation-
- Aerospace Components
- Light/Heavy Railway Equipment
- Motorsports
- Shipping/Maritime Vessels
Job Types
- Associate Welding Technician
- E-beam Weld Technician
- Friction Stir Welding Technician
- Robotic Weld Technician
- Tube Welding Technician
- Welding Technician
- Welding Technician (Test Lab)
- Welding Technician/Inspector
Salary Information
Welding Technician earns differently as per their level of education, skills, experience, and the volume of the company. The price may vary from place to place in the United States. On average, they earn $19.83 per hour or $63,143 yearly. The employers give them somewhere between $15 to $28 hourly. Welding Technicians can earn more money by gaining work experience.
Related: Other Welding Professions
