How to Hire a Welder: Job Description Tips & More

If you’re looking to hire a welder, you know that they’re a vital part of the manufacturing and construction industries. But how do you actually hire a welder, how much does it cost, and how do you interview one?

This post will take an in-depth look at what to include in a welder job description, their average pay range, and common welder interview questions.

Let’s get started.

What is a welder?

Welders do so much more than fuse pieces of metal. They’re responsible for cutting pieces to size, preparing them for joining, and ensuring the finished welds meet quality and accuracy standards.

Depending on the industry, welders may use one or more welding processes:

MIG (GMAW)
TIG (GTAW)
Stick (SMAW)
Flux core (FCAW)
Oxyfuel (OFW)

While most welding processes use an electrical arc to fuse metal pieces, oxyfuel uses a gas flame. This kind of welding is less common with advances in arc welding. The main industry that uses oxyfuel welding is automotive.

Welders can work on pipelines and construction sites or in manufacturing facilities. Welding is also essential for producing aerospace, military, and medical equipment.

What to include in your welder Job Description

As you create your welder job description, consider what you want from your candidates. What skills and certifications do they need? Are you looking for an experienced welder, or do you want to hire an entry-level employee that you can train in your specific processes and procedures?

These factors will impact how you write the job description and the level of expertise your applicants will bring to the table.

While welder job descriptions are unique to each role, here are some common duties you can include:

Reading blueprints to determine welding procedures
Measuring and fitting up parts in accordance with blueprints
Cleaning and preparing surfaces for welding
Installing mechanical systems
Inspecting welds for quality and accuracy
Adjusting weld settings and troubleshooting welding equipment
Cutting materials using a torch, plasma arc cutter, and/or angle grinder
Following safety procedures

common Welder Skills

In addition to knowledge of specific welding processes, welders need to be able to make quick calculations and take accurate measurements. They work with safety hazards as well, so it’s important for them to maintain strict safety procedures.

Some of the hard and soft skills welders may need include:

Welding techniques
Blueprint reading
Metal fabrication
Precise measurement
Machine operation
Attention to detail
Manual dexterity
Problem-solving
Teamwork
Quality inspection
Communication skills
Adaptability
Physical stamina
Knowledge of welding codes

Welder Qualifications

Welders sometimes need a high school diploma or GED, though they benefit most from trade or technical school attendance.

Many welders gain experience through apprenticeships or training. There are bachelor’s and advanced degrees in welding technology and metallurgy, but these tend to be more for engineering roles.

Another important qualification for welders is certification. Welders get certified in specific welding processes and positions. Certifying organizations include the American Welding Society (AWS) and the American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC).

How much do welders get paid?

It all depends on your budget, your business, and the candidate, but generally, you can expect to pay a welder around $47,000 a year.

Job Interview Questions to Ask Welders

While the primary method for assessing welders is a hands-on welding test, an interview is still important to determine if a candidate is a good fit.

This is a good chance to find out about the candidate’s technical knowledge, personality, and work experience. Here are some welder interview questions to ask potential hires.

General Welder Interview Questions

What motivated you to pursue welding as a career?
How comfortable are you with different welding processes (e.g., MIG, TIG, stick, flux core)?
What safety precautions do you consider most important in a welding environment?
How do you ensure the quality and precision of your welds?
What types of metals and materials have you worked with? Do you have a preferred welding process?
What experience do you have with reading blueprints and welding symbols?

Technical Interview Questions

Explain the differences between MIG and TIG welding and when each is appropriate.
Do you hold any welding certifications? What processes are you certified in?
How do you ensure proper joint preparation before starting a welding project? Why is it important?
Discuss your experience with welding different thicknesses of metal and how you adjust your technique accordingly.
Describe the steps you take to set up and adjust welding equipment for a new project.
What role does preheating play in welding, and when is it necessary?

Behavioral Interview Questions

Describe a time you identified a potential safety hazard in the workplace and how you handled the situation.
Discuss a situation where you had to work with a tight deadline. How did you manage your time and resources to meet the project requirements?
Can you share an example of a time when you had to modify a welding technique to meet specific project requirements?
How do you handle feedback or constructive criticism regarding your welding. How do you use it to improve your skills?
Discuss a time when you had to train or mentor a less experienced welder. How did you approach the training, and what was the result?
Describe a situation where you had to prioritize safety over meeting a deadline.
How do you handle stress and pressure in a high-volume production environment?
Discuss a time when you made a mistake in your welding work. How did you address the problem? What was the outcome?
Share an example of a time where you had to work independently.
Describe a situation where you had to troubleshoot a welding problem on your own. What steps did you take to identify and resolve the issue?

Find Skilled Welders with Insight Global

Welders are skilled trades workers. Finding the right candidates takes specialized knowledge, plus a dedication to finding the right talent in the right places. At Insight Global, we specialize in helping manufacturing and construction companies find that top talent.