A welder job description gives insight as to what these professionals do. Their primary responsibility is to cut apart and join metal parts in a way that creates finished products. There is important safety equipment to wear when welding metals. These professionals can specialize in different ways to join them, such as using molten metals or a rod that is heated up.

Just how does one seek the job of welder? What career paths should a welder take? Are there required levels of experience or certificates before practicing? What skills are needed? This welder job description covers all of these areas and more such as what the work schedule is and if there is a positive job outlook.

What Does a Welder Do?

The duties and responsibilities of a welder imply fusing two or more metal pieces together. They are found in a variety of industries completing different tasks. Traveling to different places to complete jobs is part of the welder job requirements. Anywhere that metal needs to be joined, or repair needs a welder. The process causes fusing and is vital to all manufacturing and construction. Detailing a welder job description shows how varied their work location is, but how their work processes are similar.

what a welder job description implies

Welders do not need a degree beyond a high school diploma or G.E.D. The median hourly rate is $17.00, and the annual rate is $44,314. This varies significantly depending on the industry and work schedule. Welders typically work full-time and work in shifts and overtime.

Welder Job Description for Resume – Responsibilities

Most of the duties and responsibilities of a welder revolve around the actual process of welding and following safety protocols.

  • Plan the welding actions needed to complete the requested project.
  • Follow all safety measures to minimize the risk of work accidents.
  • Communicate the status of various projects to people who work different shifts.
  • Review blueprints and understand how the welding project fits into the broader construction plan.
  • Choose the proper equipment and prepare it so that it is ready to weld.
  • Take apart large ships, airplanes, or trains and possibly repair for future use.
  • Work as part of a team that constructs bridges, tunnels, or architectural marvels.

These skills developed from the list by America’s Job Exchange.

Welder Required Skills

  • Physical endurance. Part of the welder working conditions implies standing or working in difficult positions for extended periods of time. They need to be able to cut materials in all work environments and engage in manual labor for the majority of the day.
  • Physical strength. Some welding equipment can be quite heavy and used in areas that require a lot of concentration such as at heights or underwater. Thus, the welder job description states that the right person needs to be able to lift a certain amount of weight or work in uncomfortable positions.
  • Spatial reasoning skills. Visualizing how different pieces of metal fit together in a finished product is a necessity for welders. They will work from two and three-dimensional blueprints and assemble materials correctly.
  • Detail oriented skills. Welders need to cut metals to the right length, observe changes in the metal has it is getting hot and adjust the fusion based on changes that happen in the melding process.

How to Become a Welder

They learn a lot of their skills through on-the-job training. If someone knows in high school that they want to be a welder, they should focus on the vo-tech track. There are various voluntary optional programs to gain certification. However, welders gain their experience on the job and will gradually take over more responsibilities as they learn.

Education & Training Requirements

The minimum requirement for welders is a high school diploma or G.E.D. There are higher level courses that allow for training prior to being a welder. In addition, recommended courses in high school or post-secondary school are math, mechanical drawing, metallurgy, or chemistry. Some employers may prefer a welder who has additional education from a technical school.

Numerous organizations offer welding certificates or training. This can be advantageous for people looking this career, but these do not eliminate the need for apprenticeship training in the field. An example of this program is from the American Welding Society. To earn certification, the welder needs to show proficiency in procedures that they have to perform in their job. Other certificate programs under the American Welding Society are a certified inspector or certified robotic arm operator.

Some employers will provide reimbursement for taking these certificate programs. Therefore, to increase the skill set, welders should look into gaining certification in soldering as well. It is important in the aerospace industry.

Work Experience

Just like a forklift operator, a welder hired with no experience will spend several months training on the job. They will apprentice under a more experienced professional. Even welders who come with some level of certification or training will learn on the job for a certain period of time. However, the senior welder will be able to tell when the new employee can practice on their own.

A lot of welders transition to this civilian job after working in the military. The military needs welders and the skills learned there transfer to other positions. Even experienced welders may need to undergo training if they shift to a different industry.

Work Schedules

The majority of welders will work full-time while a few will remain self-employed. However, the majority work in manufacturing. It is typical for them to work outside or in difficult situations. Regardless of where they are working, though, they need to keep a focus on what they are doing to prevent accidents. Working nights, weekends, and overtime is typical.

Welders usually to get hurt at some point in their career. When going to a work site, they need to wear secure footwear, gloves, goggles, and masks. This minimizes the chance of injury or illness.

Career Prospects

Welders will see limited job growth through the year 2024. If manufacturing industries increase, then the job growth for welders will also most likely grow as well. Welders can shift among different industries depending where the economy is good. These professionals who work as traveling welders or in infrastructure will see a higher pay than those who work a normal work schedule.

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median welder salary is $38,150. Their wage will depend on experience, the industry they work in, and the type of company. The states with the highest number of welders are Texas, California, Pennsylvania, Louisiana, and Ohio. However, none of these pay the most. The highest paying states are Alaska, Hawaii, the District of Columbia, Wyoming, and North Dakota.

Conclusion

Welders work in a physically demanding job and need to stay in good shape to minimize the risk of injury or illness. They have an extremely important job in creating and improving infrastructure, manufacturing, and transportation industries.