How to hire a journeyman pipe welder

How to hire a journeyman pipe welder, step by step

Here's a step-by-step journeyman pipe welder hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a journeyman pipe welder job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new journeyman pipe welder
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your journeyman pipe welder job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a journeyman pipe welder for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

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   Hiring the perfect journeyman pipe welder also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

   The following list breaks down different types of journeyman pipe welders and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Journeyman Pipe Welder	Description	Hourly rate
   Journeyman Pipe Welder	Plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters install and repair pipes that carry liquids or gases to, from, and within businesses, homes, and factories.	$22-40
   Sprinkler Fitter Apprentice	A sprinkler fitter apprentice is responsible for assisting in the installation, repair, and maintenance of sprinkler systems. Day-to-day duties will typically include connecting piping systems to supply tanks, pumps, control equipment, and compressors, installing brackets, hangers, and clamps to support the sprinkler and piping system, and selecting, measuring, and threading pipes... Show more	$13-24
   Fire Sprinkler Installer	A fire sprinkler installer is primarily in charge of installing and maintaining sprinkler systems that activate when it detects fire. Before installing the sprinkler systems, they usually meet with clients or representatives to identify their needs and preferences, visit sites to conduct measurements and assessments, understand blueprints and diagrams, and process the necessary paperwork... Show more	$12-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Pipe Systems
   • Brazing
   • Tig Welding
   • Carbon Steel
   • MIG
   • TIG
   • Hand Tools
   • Grinders
   • Torches
   • Aluminum
   • Air Arc
   • Arc Welding
   • HVAC
   • Safety Equipment

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Silver brazing, working on piping systems from high pressure to fire suppression systems.
   • Fit up and weld pipe, blueprints, operate crane, forklift, torches and burn table
   • Complete extensive training in rigging, tool safety, PPE, scaffolding, fall protection and others.
   • Operate state-of-the-art production welding, brazing, and soldering equipment.
   • Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
   • Write JSA to identify the steps to do the job.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your journeyman pipe welder job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A journeyman pipe welder can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, journeyman pipe welders' average salary in south carolina is 52% less than in washington.
   • Seniority. Entry-level journeyman pipe welders 46% less than senior-level journeyman pipe welders.
   • Certifications. A journeyman pipe welder with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a journeyman pipe welder's salary.

   Average journeyman pipe welder salary

   $63,075yearly

   $30.32 hourly rate

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   Entry-level journeyman pipe welder salary

   $46,000 yearly salary

   Updated January 7, 2026

4. Writing a journeyman pipe welder job description

   A journeyman pipe welder job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. Below, you can find an example of a journeyman pipe welder job description:

   Journeyman pipe welder job description example

   Responsible for setting up equipment and weld parts using arc, submerged arc, gas-shielded arc, mig and tig machines. Handles the layout, assembly, installation and repair of plumbing systems. Installs these systems according to specifications and appropriate trade and building codes. These systems may consist of pipes, fittings, piping systems, fixtures and equipment for heating, cooling, gas, steam, lubricating, sprinkling, and industrial processing systems.
   
   Established in 1946, TDIndustries has developed into one of America's premier Mechanical Construction and Facility Services companies serving clients through the full life-cycle of a facility, to include engineering, construction, operations and maintenance. For 70 years, our employee-owned company has provided innovative services that optimize the performance of world-class mechanical and electrical systems that serve healthcare facilities, hotels, schools, sports arenas, mission critical facilities and industrial complexes and other essential institutions.
   
   Our employees, whom we call "Partners" are the heart of our success and what sets us apart from our competitors. FORTUNE Magazine recognized TDIndustries as one of the "100 Best Places to Work", "Top 50 Training Organizations" and "Top 30 Companies to Retire From" due to our solid commitment to the personal and professional development of each employee.
   
   * Sets up equipment and welding parts using arc, submerged arc, gas-shielded arc, mig and tig machines. Helps plumbers, pipefitter/welders, sheet metal workers or HVAC workers as needed.
   
   * Selects type and size of pipe and related materials according to job specifications, knowledge of system operation, and study of building plans / working drawings. Meets and maintains quality and production standards for all work product.
   
   * Studies specifications, building plans and shop drawings to determine work aids required and sequence of installation.
   * Secures pipes to structure with clamps, brackets, and hangers, using hand tools.
   * Maintains the work area in a clean orderly condition and follows prescribed safety regulations (should support implementation of 6S). Maintains required personal tools, and properly uses all Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and safety equipment.
   * Inspects the structure to ascertain obstructions to be avoided to prevent weakening of the structure resulting from the installation of pipe. Lays out and marks position of pipe and passage holes for pipes in walls and floors using ruler, level, square and laser.
   * Cuts openings in walls and floors to accommodate pipe and fittings using hand and power tools. Installs sleeves and leave outs for roof and wall penetrations. Helps excavate, backfill and tamp ditches using shovels, picks and tampers.
   * Helps cut, ream, solder, braze, fuse, solvent weld, groove, thread pipe and pressfittings using measuring tools, pipe cutters, torches, beveling machines, reamers, bolts, screws, fittings, alloys, gaskets, solvent cement, fusing machine, groove and pipe-threading machines.
   * Lays-out, positions, aligns, fits, tack-welds, assembles and installs valves, hangers, pipe and fittings composed of metals such as iron, steel, aluminum, brass, copper and nonmetals such as fiberglass and plastic using hand tools, roustabouts, grasshoppers, come-alongs, chin falls and power tools. Bends pipe by hand or with a pipe-bending machine. Fills pipe systems with water or air to determine system leaks. Installs, maintains and repairs air-conditioning and refrigeration systems including compressors, pumps, pneumatic and hydraulic controls and piping and similar mechanical accessories.
   
   Minimum Requirements
   
   * High School Diploma or GED Required
   * Must be certified (6G Pipe) to weld using material types such as carbon steel, stainless and aluminum (Level II).
   * 4+ years of experience as as Pipefitter/Welder Journeyman preferred.
   * Trained and qualified to operate machinery such as scissor lifts, aerial lifts, fork lifts, etc.

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find journeyman pipe welders for your business, try out a few different recruiting strategies:

   • Consider internal talent. One of the most important talent pools for any company is its current employees.
   • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and your current work to ask if they know any journeyman pipe welders they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level journeyman pipe welders with the right educational background.
   • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter have more than 3.5 billion users, and they're a great place for company branding and reaching potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your journeyman pipe welder job on Zippia to find and recruit journeyman pipe welder candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with journeyman pipe welder candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents. You can move on to the technical interview if a candidate is good enough for the next step.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new journeyman pipe welder

   Once you've selected the best journeyman pipe welder candidate for the job, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, this letter should include details about the benefits and perks you offer the candidate. Ensuring that your offer is competitive is essential, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and you should be open to discussion. After you reach an agreement, the final step is formalizing the agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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