Welder: What is the cost of hiring?

Why hire a welder?

 A great welder hire can help your business: 

• Increase the margins on a product
• Conserve resources to meet budgets
• Create quality products that meet safety standards

Deciding between a full-time vs freelance welder

If your company focuses heavily on fabricating with metal, hiring a full-time welder might be necessary. Manufacturing companies that produce metal products need full-time welders, for example. Consider the welding needs you have, and determine if they’re enough to keep a full-time welder busy.

If you have just a few welding projects, hiring a freelance welder on a contract basis is more suitable. A freelance welder can help with the metalwork for an expansion to your business or for a structure you need built. You might also choose a freelance welder if you have ongoing welding needs but those needs are irregular or only require a few hours of work each week.

What are the types of welders?

Welders work with various types of equipment and materials. There are many different types of welders, but a few welder positions include:

• Construction welder: Many construction jobs, including homes and commercial buildings, require welders during the building process. A construction welder might weld rebar, help with gas line installation or handle structural welding.
• Manufacturing welder: These welders work in factories and use their welding skills to make products. The automotive industry is a common place for welders to work, but other production facilities that make metal products also hire welders.
• Pipeline welder: Oil and gas companies use welders when installing pipelines. Pipefitters lay out and assemble the pipe systems. Refineries and oil rigs also use welders frequently for pipes and other metal structures.
• Boilermakers: These welders make the large metal containers that hold gas and oil. They often go to the location where the boiler will be installed and weld it there.
• Welding inspector: Some welders become welding inspectors. They conduct inspections on completed welds and sometimes monitor the welding process.

Where to find welders

To find the right welder for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

• Ask your network. Mention your need for a welder to your network, including contractors, suppliers and other contacts in your industry.
• Partner with a trade school. Look for a local trade school that offers a welding certificate. Speak to the classes or invite students to your business to let them see welding in action.
• Join welding organizations. Become a member of welding organizations and participate in the groups to meet other welders.
• Start a referral program. Offer your current employees an incentive for referring a welder that you hire. Since they already know what the company culture is like, they can refer people they know who might fit in well at the company.
• Post your job online. Try posting your welder job on Indeed to find and attract quality welder candidates.

Skills to look for in a great Welder

A great welder candidate will have the following skills and attributes as well as work experience that reflects:

• American Welding Society certification
• Interpret technical diagrams and drawings
• Follow safety instructions
• Creative Problem Solving for when there are issues
• Good communication to work with all members of a team
• Great attitude

Writing a welder job description

A thoughtful description is important to finding qualified welder candidates. A welder job description includes a compelling summary of the role, a detailed list of duties and responsibilities and the required and preferred skills for the position.

When writing your welder job description, consider including some or all of the following keywords to improve the visibility of your job posting . These are the most popular search terms leading to clicks on welder jobs, according to Indeed data:

• Welder
• Welding
• TIG welder
• Construction
• MIG welder
• Manufacturing
• Weld
• Welders
• Welding fabrication
• Structural welder

Interviewing welder candidates

Strong candidates for welder positions will be confident answering questions regarding:

• Previous welding experience
• Knowledge of metals
• Safety procedures

Need help coming up with interview questions? See our list of welder interview questions for examples (with sample answers).