Welder Job Description, Skills, and Salary
Get to know about the duties, responsibilities, qualifications, and skills requirements of a welder. Feel free to use our welder job description template to produce your own. We also provide you with information about the salary you can earn as a welder.
Who is a Welder?
A welder can be described as a skilled tradesperson who joins or repairs metal structures using intense heat or gas.
Welders can work in all areas of manufacturing, industrial, and construction. Some even work underwater to fix oil rig foundations, ship-hulls, and other subaquatic structures. Welders are highly in demand because of the universal demand for their skills.
The job duties of welders vary depending on their skill level and the industry they work in. They can be of two types:
- Unskilled welding
This involves working on assembly lines and performing repetitive welding tasks. Robots may be used to join car bodies or make spot welds for specialized equipment. They might not be familiar with the properties of metal or which wires, gasses, and settings are required to make a strong, stable weld.
- Skilled welding
Skilled welders can understand the specifications for welding different types of metal. They can learn advanced welding techniques through apprenticeships or education. They may use robots or hand weld metal parts.
Robotic workers are often restricted to a specific job, but those who weld by hand may be able to work in any kind of application. For high-rise buildings, skyscrapers, and other types of metal-based structures, construction welders join I-beams from steel. You can also be a welder on a racing team. They will repair or build a new car’s chassis. NASA employs highly skilled welding professionals to work on aerospace projects.
Welders can choose from more than 100 different welding methods, depending on the job. Arc welding can be done by either hand or machine. This is the most popular method of welding. An arc of electricity combines two pieces of metal with a special rod. Oxy-fuel welding or oxyacetylene weld uses gases and oxygen to create the heat necessary to melt and join metal pieces. There are also submerged arc welding and resistance welding. Some metals require special welding methods, so welders might specialize in one or several of these types.
Welders work with blueprints or specifications. They then use their knowledge about base metals and joining techniques to choose the right material for the job. In preparation for welding, they cut, position, and spot weld the material. The type of metal used and the position of the work will determine the difficulty of the job. Metals such as steel and titanium tend to be less warpy and therefore are easier to join. Soft materials such as aluminum, which are malleable, can easily be warped and damaged if they are not properly cleaned. Special care must also be taken by the welder to avoid any imperfections in the weld.
No matter what type of welding equipment they use, welders must be careful to protect themselves and those around them from the intense heat. To prevent sparks and flames from burning their skin and clothes, welders use special gloves and aprons. To prevent flash burns similar to ocular sunburns, welders also use a mask. Welders must be careful about what they are welding. Overheating the metal can cause distortions, warping, shrinkage, expansion, and warping. To prepare the metal surface for welding, welders must also maintain their equipment.
Welder Job Description
Below are the welder job description examples you can use to develop your resume or write a welder job description for your employee. Employers can also use it to sieve out job seekers when choosing candidates for interviews.
- Using manual and semi-automatic welder equipment in horizontal, vertical, or overhead positions
- Utilizing power saws, chipping knives, and hand shears to cut, bevel, and contour metal workpieces
- Repairing structures by using hand tools and cutting torches to disassemble, reshape, and reassemble metal components
- Keeping abreast of international and local building codes/legal requirements
- Avoiding excessive heat or expansion by monitoring work equipment.
- Cleaning metal surfaces with chemical solutions and wire brushes. This will remove scale, rust, and grease.
- Using the specifications in a blueprint to design patterns and models for your welding project
- Melting, bending, and straightening metal workpieces by placing electrodes directly on or across them.
- Using cranes, hoists, or banding machines to mount and secure workpieces to produce equipment
- Determining the cost and amount of materials needed for construction by making estimates
- Applying protective or decorative coatings to finished products.
- Welding small, medium, and large bore pipes of different metals and alloys.
- Assisting in complex mechanical installations under engineering direction.
- Understanding and reading construction drawings and specifications.
- Installing and designing pieces of equipment following specifications and construction drawings.
- Marking up drawings and specifications for construction with an as-built status.
- Working in collaboration with other crew members and the lead person.
- Assuming full responsibility for all equipment and tools assigned to the group.
Qualifications
To be successful as a welder, you need to have a combination of education, training, and certifications.
Education
You will need a minimum of a GED, high school diploma, and then you can take a welding certificate program. These programs can last anywhere from 6 to 18 months. Classes will cover brazing, soldering, and welding as well as casting and bronzing. A welding program could also include arc welding using shielded metal, gas-tungsten, and gas metal.
To learn welding techniques and earn a living, some welders opt to enroll in an apprenticeship program. An apprenticeship program provides in-depth training in welding for one to three years. Apprenticeships offer students the chance to earn a welding certificate.
An Associate of Science degree in welding engineering technology is available for those who are interested in becoming welders. Students will be able to learn more and have higher-level skills than in a certification program during this two-year degree program. Students may also be exposed to different welding specialties such as military and nuclear power.
Training
A certification or educational program is the most common training a welder will receive. They will be taught all the tools and techniques necessary to perform their welding tasks. Safety protocols will be taught, which is crucial for those who work in hazardous environments.
On-the-job training will be provided to welders when they start working for a company. This will include more information about safety procedures and measures. The company may also provide training for welders on specific techniques and processes.
Certification
Many types of welding certificates are very popular, including:
- Certified Welder (CW)
This certification does not require any minimum requirements.
- Certified Welding Inspector (CWI)
To be eligible for a CWI certificate, you must have a minimum of two years’ work experience and education.
- Senior Certified Welding Inspector (SCWI)
You will need to have a valid CWI certificate for at least six years before you can obtain this certificate. You also need to have at least fifteen years of experience.
- Certified Welding Educators (CWE)
This certification is the same as the CWI. You automatically qualify for the CWE if you hold a CWI.
- Certified Welding Representative (CWSR)
You will need to have five years of experience in the welding field, or two years with a training certificate before you can obtain this certificate.
- Certified Associate Welding Inspector (CAWI)
To get this certificate, you will need to pass a vision exam and have a minimum of work experience.
- CRI (certified radiographic interpreter)
A minimum of a GED, diploma, 40 hours of radiographic training, a vision test, and at least one year of experience as a radiographic interpreter or working for one are required to obtain this certificate.
- The Certified Robotic Arc Welding Certificate (CRAW)
This is a certification that requires a valid GED or diploma or military education. You will need to have at least six months experience as an operator, semiautomatic, or manual arc welder, and at least twelve months as an operator, or as an arc welding technician. At least three years of experience as an operator, or as a technician welding using robotics.
Essential Skills
- Mathematical skills
To be a successful welder, you need to have a solid understanding of math. Many jobs require you to be able to accurately calculate dimensions, read blueprints, draw diagrams, and perform other related activities that require math skills.
- Physical Fitness
To be a successful welder, you must be physically fit. Welders are often required to stand for long periods of work, carry heavy objects, bend and twist to perform their duties. You must also be able to hold your torch in a stable position for long periods of work. This requires a strong grip and a steady hand.
- Attention to detail
For a successful welder job, it is important to have the ability to see even small details. Welders are required to be precise to work on certain structures, like bridges, planes, and ships. A faulty welding job can endanger lives. Some welders work under dangerous conditions. They must pay attention to the surrounding environment to avoid injury.
- Administrative skills
Welders must be able to do the job well and also have to manage various administrative tasks. They often have to plan and manage various projects. They need the ability to organize and document their work and maintain sufficient inventory without overstocking.
- Technical and tool-handling skills
Welders are involved in a variety of different projects. Their tasks can vary depending on each project. You will encounter different situations in your career as a welder. This means you need to have a lot of tech skills.
- Additional welder skills
Welders need to have other skills than the core soft and hard skills they already possess. These are some additional skills you might want to look into:
- Basic skills in computer office software
- Mechanical skills
- Project management skills
- Customer service skills
- Design skills
How to Become a Welder
- Learn more about the various types of welding jobs
You should do your research on the various welding options before you become a welder. This will help you determine which tasks and responsibilities are most appropriate for your abilities and strengths. Different certifications and training are needed for different welding jobs.
You can research the different tasks that each welding job entails to help you decide what kind of education and training to pursue.
- Learn how to weld
After you have decided on the type of welding job you want, you should research the requirements for the specialty. A high school diploma or GED is required for most welding jobs. To learn more about welding, you can take welding courses at your high school. You should also consider math courses that complement welding, such as geometry because welding involves measuring dimensions.
- Earn your certificate of welding
You can continue your education after you have completed high school. The welding certificate programs last between two and three years. They can help you improve your understanding of the duties and responsibilities involved in welding. Some welders may decide to pursue a bachelor’s degree in welding based on their specialization.
- Gain experience
After you have been certified as a welder you can start apprenticeship training for the type of welding that you are interested in. An apprenticeship allows you to shadow and do supervised work so that you are familiar with the daily schedule and responsibilities of being a welder.
After your apprenticeship is over, you have two options: you can stay with the company where you were apprenticed, or you can use this experience to get a full-time position in welding.
- Be a certified welder
You will need to be certified in the type of welding that you want to do before you can work full-time. There are many certifications that welders can obtain depending on their skills and the type of welding they want to do. Employers will most likely require the AWS Certified Welder basic certification.
You can earn this certification by passing an exam. This exam is available at several AWS Accredited Testing Facility. This exam does not require you to meet any specific requirements. The exam will include a written section as well as an assessment of your welding skills.
- Start your job search
After you have the required education, training, and experience, it is possible to start looking for welder jobs. You can search online for jobs that match your skills and experience. These skills can be highlighted in your resume. Each skill can be listed in your resume using specific examples and detailed descriptions.
Where to Work
Welders work in well-ventilated areas. They could work outdoors, underwater, or in special facilities. The work environment and the schedule of a welder can vary depending on their career specialty.
Welder Salary Scale
The average salary for a welder in the United States is $35,000. Entry-level positions start at $30,219 annually while the most skilled workers earn up to $48,499 annually.