Welder Job Descriptions, Average Salary, Interview Questions

What Does a Welder Do?

Welders use various techniques and tools to cut and fill metal parts and products. They melt and join pieces of metal together by creating intense heat using gas flames, lasers, and electric arcs. They make durable, lasting welds by possessing a strong understanding of metal properties.

A successful welder is capable of reading, interpreting, and accurately following technical specifications and drawings. As skilled tradespeople who perform critical work, welders adhere to required safety and quality standards. Additional duties often include metal cutting and shaping.

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National Average Salary

Welder salaries vary by experience, industry, organization size, and geography. Click below to explore salaries by local market.

The average national salary for a Welder is:

$54,550

Welder Job Descriptions

It’s important to include the right content in your job description when hiring a welder. The following examples can serve as templates for attracting the best available talent for your team.

Example 1

[Your Company Name] is in need of strong and hardworking welders who will help us fulfill orders for our customers. We are looking for someone who is able to take accurate measurements, decide which equipment to use, and then properly use it to build according to a blueprint. Primary responsibilities will include setting up and operating welding processes while achieving and maintaining established quality and productivity standards. Your work is crucial to our success, so if you are reliable, have a great work ethic, and will arrive on time, you would be a great candidate for this position. 

Typical duties and responsibilities

  • Examine blueprints and sketches 
  • Maintain equipment and machinery
  • Weld components in various positions 
  • Operate various machinery following safety protocols

Education and experience

  • High school diploma or equivalent required
  • Technical or on-the-job experience as well as certifications preferred

Required skills and qualifications

  • Physical stamina and strength 
  • Manual dexterity
  • Knowledge of technical and mechanical terminology, processes, and equipment 
  • Detail-oriented and able to handle potentially hazardous conditions
  • Ability to comprehend instructions, drawings, and blueprints 
  • Thorough understanding of welding processes 

Preferred qualifications

  • Pass 6G Butt and Tee Branch welding tests
  • Must test for API 1104 certification
  • Ability to read and interpret blueprints and mechanical drawings
  • Understanding of API 1104 certification standards and procedures

Example 2

The Welder is responsible for operating a multitude of welding equipment working primarily on aluminum, steel, and galvanneal requiring a high grade of skill.

Responsibilities

  • Read blueprints and weld metals according to customer or employer requirements
  • Operation of heavy equipment such as saws
  • Perform set-up of the machine and preventative maintenance as required
  • Examine created welds to check for defects/flaws
  • Ability to learn and perform different methods of welding to obtain certifications
  • Perform safety and quality checks
  • Work and adhere to all safety policies

Minimum qualifications

  • Basic math, tape measurement, and computer skills
  • Basic experience with hand tools
  • Able to understand and comprehend measurement
  • Able to read and interpret blueprints for special applications
  • High School Diploma or equivalent GED
  • Must be 18 years old

Preferred qualifications

  • Previous experience in manufacturing
  • Previous experience working on truck bodies

Physical requirements

This job operates in a manufacturing plant environment. While performing the duties of this job, the team member is regularly required to talk or hear. The team member frequently is required to stand (sometimes for extended periods); walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; reach with hands and arms; and lift up to 35 pounds. The team member may, at times, sit, bend, stoop, squat, reach overhead, or crawl (may be in confined spaces). The team member is expected to perform repetitive tasks using their hands, and have the ability to climb ladders and/or work in high places.

Example 3

Summary

Under general supervision, applies appropriate welds to fabricate or repair compactors, containers, and carts.

Responsibilities

  • Performs minor repairs and applies basic welding processes
  • Repairs compactors, containers, and carts
  • Performs preventive maintenance inspections, diagnostic and repair of electrical and hydraulic systems on compactors
  • Qualified in the welding processes such as arc welding, gas welding, aluminum welding, brazing, and soft soldering on a variety of materials
  • Conducts safety checks on compactors and containers
  • Completes required paperwork utilizing fleet maintenance software program associated with repairing compactors and containers, documenting parts usage, and accounting for repair times
  • Assists senior welders in the completion of project work
  • Performs service calls for compactor repair
  • Performs related work such as flame cutting, bending, forming, beveling, and notching of metal and plastic parts
  • Performs all work within Standard Repair Times (SRTs)
  • Works from prints, drawings, and verbal instructions
  • Performs standard layouts and set-ups of dimensions and tolerances
  • Utilizes standard shop hand tools, measuring devices, and equipment
  • Performs other maintenance-related work as required
  • Maintains a clean, safe work area in compliance with Corporate/OSHA Standards
  • Performs all work in accordance with established safety procedures

Qualifications

  • Education: Not required
  • Experience: 2 years of relevant experience
  • Required: Valid driver’s license
  • Basic skills in welding techniques
  • Knowledge of safety procedures and practices necessary while operating or repairing compactors, containers, and carts
  • Skill in operating tools equipment, parts, and procedures utilized during the repair and servicing of compactors, containers, and carts
  • Skill in repair of special purpose equipment
  • Ability to perform repairs on a variety of compactors, containers, and carts; and ability to utilize fleet maintenance software program may be required

Example 4

Responsibilities

  • Safely utilizes various metal shop tools including horizontal band saw, angle grinder, chop saw, die grinder, mag drill, manual pipe bender, and other metal working tools and equipment
  • Safely and effectively operates TIG/MIG welder to industry standards
  • Skilled at assessing repair viability of damaged or broken rental items, and repairing or repurposing as needed
  • Ability to read shop drawings and use them to create simple components and assemblies accurately and within tolerance
  • Manages workflow to ensure a clean and organized workplace. Cleans and organizes daily, or as needed to keep and maintain an organized and functional workspace
  • Consistent reporting of in-house inventory of shop consumables and materials to the supervisor
  • Assist in the repair department under the supervision of the repair lead. Duties may include but are not limited to sanding, painting, basic electrical repair, carpentry, or other repairs

Qualifications

  • Minimum high school diploma
  • At least 1-2 years of welding experience including experience with TIG/MIG welding
  • Ability to pass a basic welding test with a TIG/MIG welder
  • Ability to be certified to wear respiratory protection if required
  • Ability to regularly lift at least 50 lbs. or more frequently
  • Ability to speak, write and read English
  • Must be 18 years of age
  • Ability to drive or learn to drive a forklift preferred
  • Must have reliable transportation

Candidate Certifications to Look For

  • Certified Welder (CW) Program – This program tests welders on their knowledge of the course of action for welding structural steel, petroleum pipelines, sheet metal, and chemical refinery welding industries. These tests must be taken at an AWS-Accredited Testing Facility. There are no prerequisites and certification credits are transferable. This program offers welders the opportunity to learn and obtain new skills for different types of welding work. 
  • Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI) – This credential allows young welders to work alongside a Certified Welding Inspector to inspect if welding work interests them. Once achieved, the certification is valid for three years. This credential allows candidates to gain the hands-on experience they need to become a Certified Welding Inspector, while still having someone with even greater experience at their side. There will be a fundamentals exam on information such as destructive testing, fabrication in math, and safety in welding, as well as a hands-on portion of the examination.
  • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) – A CWI is able to inspect a weldment and determine whether or not it is acceptable according to a specific code or standard. They will ensure the quality of work and that a weldment is built safely. Certified Welding Inspectors handle qualification records and must be detail-oriented, as they may catch mistakes that previous inspectors may have missed. This is a prestigious credential and is highly regarded because of the experience and knowledge required. The exam is a 3-part exam including a fundamentals portion, a practical exam, and an open-book exam using the codebook.

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