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12 Types of Welding Jobs
By Indeed Editorial Team
Updated February 11, 2021 | Published February 4, 2020
Updated February 11, 2021
Published February 4, 2020
Welding is the process of joining two or more pieces of metal together using intense heat and pressure. A career in welding offers many different opportunities in several industries. In this article, we list different types of welding jobs, including their typical duties and average salaries.
What does it take to become a welder?
Education requirements for welding vary greatly by employer. Some employers only require a high school diploma, while others also require that you pass an employer-based test. For some companies, it's required to have an undergraduate college degree, additional training and certification.
Most employers require you to have a welding certificate, which you receive when you complete the Certified Welder program This program tests welders on procedures that are used in the sheet metal, structural steel, petroleum pipelines and chemical refinery welding industries.
Related: Learn About Being a Welder
Types of Welding careers
Consider the different types of welding careers available to you:
Master jeweler
Mig welder
Sheet metal worker
Fabricator/Welder
Structural iron and steelworker
Welding inspector
Tool and die maker
Master plumber
Oil rig welder
Pipefitter
Auto body welder/technician
Industrial boilermaker
1. Master jeweler
National average salary: $14.12 per hour
Primary duties: Master jewelers are responsible for designing, fabricating and repairing jewelry metals and stones. Their main duties include:
Cutting and shaping soft metals into jewelry pieces
Soldering pieces of jewelry together
Restyling, resizing and repairing jewelry and
Smoothing soldered joints with emery paper and hand files
2. MIG welder
National average salary: $16.15 per hour
Primary duties: MIG welders measure, cut and assemble pieces of metal using an electric arc and inert gas. Their usual duties include:
Interpreting blueprints and specifications accurately
Determining correct gas ratios
Preparing work surfaces and metals
In all functions, MIG welders need to ensure assembly that is safe, effective and each join is strong during and after project completion.
3. Sheet metal worker
National average salary: $17.26 per hour
Primary duties: Sheet metal workers are responsible for fabricating, installing and maintaining thin sheet metal products. Their primary duties include:
Welding thin sheet metals and similar materials
Fastening metal seams
Creating supportive frameworks
Bolting materials together
4. Fabricator/Welder
National average salary: $17.73 per hour
Primary duties: Fabricators and welders are responsible for designing, cutting and shaping metal. Their primary duties include:
Evaluating engineering drawings
Performing efficient welding of various metal objects
Analyzing diagrams
Cutting all-metal accordingly
5. Structural iron and steel worker
National average salary: $20.39 per hour
Primary duties: Structural iron and steel workers are responsible for laying out and fabricating steel and iron, to build structures. Their responsibilities include:
Making, welding and cutting structural metal in fabricating shops
Drilling holes into steel for bolts
Cutting bars with metal shears and torches
Tightening cables with jacking equipment
6. Welding inspector
National average salary: $23.92 per hour
Primary duties: Welding inspectors are responsible for ensuring that weldments and welding-related activities comply with quality and safety criteria. Their primary duties include:
Verifying that the material is correct and in order
Watching weather conditions
Monitoring repair work in accordance with procedures
Making sure each weld is marked and identified
7. Tool and die maker
National average salary: $24.94 per hour
Primary duties: Tool and die makers are responsible for analyzing specifications, operating machine tools and fitting and assembling parts to make dies. Their primary duties include:
Cutting, shaping and trimming blocks to specified lengths and shapes
Using computer-aided design software to design and develop new tools and dies
Operating drill presses to drill and tap holes in parts for assembly
Lifting and mounting materials or workpieces onto production equipment
8. Master plumber
National average salary: $25.38 per hour
Primary duties: Master plumbers are responsible for planning preventive maintenance, performing repairs and maintaining the inspection backflow preventer. Their typical duties include:
Maintaining and repairing general plumbing components
Ensuring equipment is handled and maintained properly
Promoting the improvement of safety in the workplace
Installing, repairing and replacing domestic cold and hot water lines
Providing dimensions and sketches to drafters for creating plans
9. Oil rig welder
National average salary: $26.01 per hour
Primary duties: Oil rig welders are responsible for maintaining and repairing the rig structure. Their primary duties include:
Performing routine repairs
Building new metalwork as needed
Constructing pipes; bonding metals to create vessels and beams
Ensuring the proper use, storage and maintenance of welding equipment
10. Pipefitter
National average salary: $27.71 per hour
Primary duties: Pipefitters are responsible for the layout, assembly, installation and maintenance of pipe systems. Their usual tasks include:
Welding, soldering or cementing joints on pipes
Attaching pipes to fixtures using welding equipment or clamps
Resolving pipe issues, such as leaks or clogs
Using specialized power tools to remove and replace worn-out components
11. Auto body welder/technician
National average salary: $59,302 per year
Primary duties: Auto body welders/technicians are responsible for repairing and refinishing automotive vehicle bodies, as well as straightening vehicle frames. Their primary duties include:
Removing damaged parts of vehicles with metal cutting guns
Installing replacement parts using a welder
Inspecting repaired vehicles to check for dimensional accuracy
Performing test drives to check for proper alignment and handling
Shaping plastic panels by applying heat with a hot-air welding gun
Removing damaged panels
Identifying the properties of the plastic used on the vehicle
12. Industrial boilermaker
National average salary: $32.64 per hour
Primary duties: Industrial boilermakers are responsible for making and installing large containers that hold gases or liquids, such as oil. Their primary duties include:
Welding or bolting pieces together
Reading blueprints
Casting pieces and bending them into the correct shape, testing completed boilers
Performing routine maintenance
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