Welders utilize various tools to cut, fill metal parts, and products. They do this by creating intense heat by using different types of heavy machinery. Welders carefully inspect items needing welding, monitor the process, and maintain the machinery.
Sample job description #1
The Welder is responsible for operating a multitude of welding equipment working primarily on aluminum, steel, and galvanneal requiring a high grade of skill.
Job duties
- Read blueprints and weld metals according to customer or employer requirements
- Operation of heavy equipment such as saws
- Perform set up of 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; and 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.
Sample job description #2
Job summary
Under general supervision, applies appropriate welds to fabricate or repair compactors, containers and carts.
Essential duties and responsibilities
To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform the following tasks.
- 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, 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
The requirements listed below are representative of the qualifications necessary to perform the job.
- 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
Sample job description #3
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 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 and 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
Average salary and compensation
The average salary for a welder is $44,500 in the United States. Position salary will vary based on experience, education, company size, industry, and market.
| Location | Salary Low | Salary High |
|---|---|---|
| Phoenix, Arizona | $44,250 | $59,900 |
| Los Angeles, California | $49,950 | $67,550 |
| Denver, Colorado | $41,600 | $56,300 |
| Washington, DC | $50,700 | $68,600 |
| Miami, Florida | $41,400 | $56,050 |
| Orlando, Florida | $38,200 | $51,700 |
| Tampa, Florida | $38,600 | $52,200 |
| Atlanta, Georgia | $40,450 | $54,750 |
| Chicago, Illinois | $46,550 | $62,950 |
| Boston, Massachusetts | $50,300 | $68,050 |
| Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minnesota | $40,100 | $54,250 |
| New York City, New York | $52,950 | $71,650 |
| Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | $43,100 | $58,350 |
| Dallas, Texas | $42,000 | $56,800 |
| Houston, Texas | $41,600 | $56,300 |
| Seattle, Washington | $48,400 | $65,500 |
| National Average | $37,850 | $51,200 |
Sample interview questions
- Tell me about the most exciting welding job you have done. Why did you like it?
- What motivates you at work?
- Why did you decide to go into welding?
- Where do you see your career heading in the next five years?
- You notice an error in a colleague’s work. What do you do?
- What do you like about welding?
- What do you not like about welding?
- Are you scared of heights?
- How do you maintain safety in the workplace?
- Can you tell us about your education and experience?
- Tell me about a time where your actions didn’t line up with your core values.
- What is your ideal workspace environment?
- How do you handle customer complaints?
- How do you feel about working 12-hour shifts? How about working overtime?
- Tell me about a time you made a mistake. How did you handle it?
- Welding is a physically strenuous and demanding job. What do you do to stay healthy?
- Describe a time you received criticism from your supervisor. How did you respond to it?
- What welding techniques do you know? Do you have experience with that type of welding?
