Welder job description in the United States
Duties, requirements, interview questions, and a ready-to-use template so you can post your job today.
Job summary
A welder joins and repairs metal parts and structures using heat, following drawings and welding procedures so that each joint holds under load. The role prepares materials, selects the process and consumables, welds in different positions, and inspects the result. For the business, a qualified welder means structures and products that pass inspection, less rework and wasted material, and no failures in the field.
Main duties
- Read fabrication drawings and welding symbols to determine joint type, size, and location
- Cut, grind, bevel, and fit up parts before welding, checking alignment and dimensions
- Weld using SMAW, GMAW (MIG), FCAW, or GTAW (TIG) processes, as the job requires
- Set amperage, voltage, wire speed, and gas flow according to the welding procedure specification
- Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions on plate and pipe
- Inspect welds visually for cracks, porosity, undercut, and incomplete fusion, and repair defects
- Operate oxy-fuel and plasma cutting equipment, grinders, and other shop tools
- Maintain welding machines, cables, torches, and gas cylinders in safe working order
- Use protective equipment and follow hot work permits, ventilation, and fire prevention rules
Typical requirements
- Vocational or technical training in welding
- Two or more years of experience in structural, pipe, or fabrication welding
- Proficiency in at least two welding processes
- Ability to read drawings, welding symbols, and a tape measure accurately
- Welder qualification under a recognized code such as AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX, when the work requires it
- Willingness to take a practical welding test
- Ability to work at heights, in confined spaces, or outdoors, depending on the project
Key skills
Salary in the United States
Based on jobs posted on Saplic over the last 6 months. This is a market benchmark, not an official figure.
Job posting template ready to copy
Replace the fields in brackets with your company's details.
Market benchmark: $6,768 per month (median of the jobs posted on Saplic over the last 6 months).
Welder — [Company name]
At [Company name], we are looking for a welder to join our shop in [City]. The person in this role will fabricate and repair metal parts and structures from drawings, apply the right process for each job, and deliver sound, clean welds that meet our quality standards.
Responsibilities
- Read fabrication drawings and welding symbols to determine joint type, size, and location
- Cut, grind, bevel, and fit up parts before welding, checking alignment and dimensions
- Weld using SMAW, GMAW (MIG), FCAW, or GTAW (TIG) processes, as the job requires
- Set amperage, voltage, wire speed, and gas flow according to the welding procedure specification
- Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions on plate and pipe
- Inspect welds visually for cracks, porosity, undercut, and incomplete fusion, and repair defects
- Operate oxy-fuel and plasma cutting equipment, grinders, and other shop tools
- Maintain welding machines, cables, torches, and gas cylinders in safe working order
- Use protective equipment and follow hot work permits, ventilation, and fire prevention rules
Requirements
- Vocational or technical training in welding
- Two or more years of experience in structural, pipe, or fabrication welding
- Proficiency in at least two welding processes
- Ability to read drawings, welding symbols, and a tape measure accurately
- Welder qualification under a recognized code such as AWS D1.1 or ASME Section IX, when the work requires it
- Willingness to take a practical welding test
- Ability to work at heights, in confined spaces, or outdoors, depending on the project
What we offer
- Salary: [Salary]
- Benefits: [Benefits]
- Location: [City]
Interested in this job? Apply today.
How to hire a welder
Always require a weld test
No interview replaces watching the candidate weld. A test coupon in the position and process the job uses, followed by a bend test or close visual inspection, settles the question in under an hour.
Name the process and material
Stick welding structural steel, MIG in production, and TIG on stainless or aluminum are distinct skills. The posting should state process, material, thickness, and position to avoid mismatched applicants.
Check that qualifications are current
Welder qualifications are specific to process and position and can lapse without continued use. Where a code applies, the documents should be reviewed for scope and validity rather than accepted at face value.
Include drawing interpretation
A welder who cannot read welding symbols depends on someone else for every joint. A quick question on a sample drawing confirms whether the candidate can work independently.
Observe safety habits during the test
How the candidate checks the area, handles cylinders, and uses protective equipment during the practical test predicts everyday behavior. Carelessness there is a reason not to hire.
Interview questions for welder candidates
Which welding processes are you strongest in, and on which materials and thicknesses?
What to look for: Specific, honest answers about strengths and limits that match the requirements of the job.
How do you set up your machine for a vertical-up weld on structural steel?
What to look for: Concrete parameters, electrode or wire choice, and technique, showing real hands-on knowledge.
What causes porosity in a weld, and how did you correct it?
What to look for: Knowledge of contamination, gas coverage, moisture, and arc length, with practical fixes.
What would you do if the parts you were given did not fit up according to the drawing?
What to look for: Stopping to report it rather than forcing the fit or filling excessive gaps with weld.
Could you explain what this welding symbol means?
What to look for: Correct reading of weld type, size, side, and length from a real drawing.
What precautions do you take before welding near flammable materials or in a confined space?
What to look for: Hot work permit, clearing the area, ventilation, fire watch, and an extinguisher within reach.
How did you control distortion when welding thin material or long seams?
What to look for: Techniques such as tack sequence, skip welding, clamping, and heat input control.
What did you do when one of your welds was rejected at inspection?
What to look for: Accepting the result, understanding the defect, repairing properly, and adjusting technique.
Screen better with the Saplic ATS
Posting the job is the first step. The Saplic recruiting system organizes everything that comes after.
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a welder make in the United States?
The median of the jobs posted on Saplic over the last 6 months is $6,768 per month, and the typical range runs from $5,787 to $6,970. This is a market benchmark, not an official figure.
What requirements are typical for a welder in the United States?
The most common ones in job postings are: vocational or technical training in welding; two or more years of experience in structural, pipe, or fabrication welding; proficiency in at least two welding processes.
Does a welder need to be certified to be hired?
It depends on the work. For structural steel, pressure piping, or contracts governed by a code, welders must be qualified under that code and the documentation kept current. For general fabrication and repairs, formal qualification may not be mandatory, but a practical welding test before hiring is advisable in every case.
How should a welding test for candidates be organized?
The test should reproduce the job: same process, material, thickness, and position. The candidate welds a coupon, which is then inspected visually and, when possible, bend tested. Twenty to forty minutes is enough. Observing preparation, machine setup, and safety practices during the test adds valuable information beyond the weld itself.
How much does it cost to post welder jobs on Saplic?
Nothing. Posting the job is free and no credit card is required. The recruiting system for organizing the people who apply is free too.