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How to hire a journeyman welder

Journeyman welder hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring journeyman welders in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a journeyman welder is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new journeyman welder to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a journeyman welder, step by step

To hire a journeyman welder, consider the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, allocate a budget for the position, and post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Follow these steps to hire a journeyman welder:

Here's a step-by-step journeyman 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 welder job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new journeyman welder
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a journeyman welder do?

The job of a journeyman welder is to bond the different types of metal to create larger, industrial pipes. Typical duties include operating welding equipment, ensuring a safe working environment, and reading blueprints. You are also responsible for welding metal parts and designing and building fixtures. To become a successful journeyman welder, you must complete an apprenticeship or a training program. In addition, you must also have previous work experience, technical skills, and in-depth knowledge of all relevant terminology and industry computer software.

Learn more about the specifics of what a journeyman welder does
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your journeyman 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 welder for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect journeyman 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 welders and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Journeyman WelderDescriptionHourly rate
    Journeyman WelderWelders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment to join or cut metal parts. They also fill holes, indentations, or seams of metal products.$14-29
    FabricatorA fabricator specializes in manufacturing and assembling equipment or devices, ensuring every product's quality and efficiency. There are instances when a fabricator is required to make multiple gears, conduct verification processes on product schematics and specifications, perform quality control inspections, and test the product in different environments... Show more$12-21
    Ship FitterShip fitters are civilian or enlisted people who work on materials like high yield strength steel and high-tensile steel. These people fabricate, assemble, and build structural parts of ships... Show more$14-30
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • MIG
    • Brazing
    • Jigs
    • Flux Core
    • Overhead Positions
    • TIG
    • Stainless Steel
    • Arc Welding
    • SMAW
    • Aluminum
    • FCAW
    • Carbon Steel
    • Ladders
    • GTAW
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Skil in air arc metal cutting, oxyacetylene torch cutting, plasma arc metal cutting, GMAW, SMAW, FCAW.
    • Apply welding methods with the use of SMAW, FCAW and GMAW.
    • Pre-Fab free-hand TIG weld 1/16th inch stainless steel Schott tubes.
    • Weld on carbon steel, stainless, aluminum, brass, flux-core, cast iron and galvanize.
    • Stick and MIG welding process.
    • Preform tig welds plant wide Cargill plant in Ottumwa
    More journeyman welder duties
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, journeyman welders' average salary in arkansas is 34% less than in massachusetts.
    • Seniority. Entry-level journeyman welders 49% less than senior-level journeyman welders.
    • Certifications. A journeyman 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 welder's salary.

    Average journeyman welder salary

    $44,147yearly

    $21.22 hourly rate

    Entry-level journeyman welder salary
    $31,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 18, 2025

    Average journeyman welder salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Washington$48,759$23
    2California$48,035$23
    3Arizona$44,577$21
    4Ohio$44,291$21
    5Indiana$44,267$21
    6Florida$42,734$21
    7Illinois$42,338$20
    8Tennessee$42,259$20
    9Utah$41,480$20
    10Alabama$40,765$20
    11Idaho$40,269$19
    12Arkansas$37,806$18

    Average journeyman welder salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Clearwater Paper$55,487$26.68
    2Patten Cat$48,275$23.21
    3Kaiser Aluminum$47,534$22.852
    4International Paper$45,992$22.117
    5Tradesmen International$45,671$21.96103
    6Associated Electric Cooperative, Inc Recruiting$45,468$21.861
    7Reliance Test & Technology, Llc$42,626$20.49
  4. Writing a journeyman welder job description

    A job description for a journeyman welder role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a journeyman welder job description:

    Journeyman welder job description example

    Full-time, $29.81/hour and Comprehensive Benefits.

    Company Information:

    ARG is the oldest continuously operating refinery in North America dating back to 1881. Privately held, the employees and leadership pride themselves on offering competitive pay, generous benefits and a supportive culture of growth and learning. We are one of the few organizations that offer no-cost stock ownership in addition to traditional retirement benefits.

    Scope & Responsibilities of Welder Journeyman I : (Not limited to)

    • Completes assigned maintenance welding repairs and project work on a variety of industrial equipment and piping systems.
    • Welds metal parts together, using gas welding or brazing and any combination of arc welding processes.
    • Fabricate piping from isometric drawings or blueprints and be capable of making field measurements.
    • Take field measurements required to lay out and mark weld points on parts or piping using rule, square, levels, scribe, or templates.
    • Position pieces to be welded, holding fixtures, guides and steps using measuring instruments and hand tools (i.e., hammers, combination wrenches, pipe wrenches, strap wrenches, pin bars, pry bars).
    • Uses hand power tools (i.e., drills, grinders, sanders, wire-brushes, port-a-band, die grinder) and hand-held torches.
    • Inspects completed work for conformance to specifications. Performs related tasks, such as thermal cutting and grinding.
    • Locates and repair cracks in industrial equipment and piping systems using inspection equipment.
    • Install, repair, and maintain all piping systems and vessels with pressures up to 1500 psi and temp. up to 1200ºF., repairs and maintains steel structures and tanks, weld piping, vessels, and structures in accordance with company work standards and safety practices.
    • Performs all work in accordance with established safety procedures and completed other job-related tasks as assigned by Supervisor/Management.

    Benefits Available to Welder Journeyman I :

    • Health Insurance including Medical, Dental, Optical & Prescription
    • Health Savings Accounts & Flexible-Spending Plans
    • Life, Accident and Critical Illness Insurance Options
    • Short & Long-term Disability Coverage
    • Escalating Paid Vacation Plans
    • Paid Holidays & Personal Days
    • Education & Employee Assistance Plans
    • Employee Stock Ownership & 401 (k) Plans

    Education & Experience for Welder Journeyman I:

    • High School Diploma/GED with Associates Degree in Welding Technology or Certificate from accredited program with 3+ years of pipe fitting and welding experience.
    • Required to pass company mandated 4" and 2" Stick 6G SMAW welding tests, as well as other standardized assessments by governmental, regulatory, or professional/technical associations to maintain certification.

    Other Qualifications of Welder Journeyman I:

    • Must possess and maintain a valid Motor Vehicle Driver's License.
    • COVID-19 vaccine is required for any new hire to this position; candidate must provide proof of full vaccination (reasonable accommodations will be considered).

    Physical & Cognitive Demands of Welder Journeyman I:

    • Meet deadlines, focus attention, perform repetitive tasks, work with a team, spatial relations, communicating, reading comprehension, critical thinking/troubleshooting.
    • Seeing, speaking, kneeling/stooping, hearing, smelling, sitting, walk/climb, stand/reach, listen, writing, physical coordination, driving, climbing, twisting/bending, assembling parts, keyboarding, Working in extreme heat/cold with exposure to hazardous materials. Push/pull/lift/carry/otherwise transport up to 50 pounds.
    • Demonstrate physical ability to climb, enter vessels through manways and work in elevated locations or confined spaces in all weather conditions.
    • Frequently exposed to moving mechanical parts, fumes. or airborne particles, moderate to loud noise levels and extreme weather conditions (heat/cold).
    • Must be able to wear Personnel Protective Equipment (PPE) and use all types of respiratory equipment including self-contained breathing apparatus (SCBA).
    • May be required to work overtime, holidays, weekends scheduled time off &/or shift work as required to support plant operations.

    Additional Notes:

    This position, as well as every other position at American Refining Group, is required to conduct their work at a high level of safety and quality performance. We require our employees to adhere to safety policies and procedures and expect they will help and encourage colleagues to do so as well. Our goal is to strive for a Zero-Incident environment that is a benefit to our employees and community. Our commitment to safety is identified as one of our core values: "Safety is our Compass" . Employees are expected to understand and operate under current Process Safety Management guidelines in accordance with their role. Adherence to our Refinery Conduct of Operations in refinery and safety-sensitive functions is critical to our ongoing commitment to reliable operations.

    American Refining Group, Inc. executes and maintains a Quality Management System to meet specified customer requirements for product performance, safety, and service. Employees are expected to understand and operate under ISO 9001 guidelines in executing the functions of their position. Our Quality Policy states, " American Refining Group, Inc. is dedicated to meeting customer expectations by managing risk through continuous improvement and operational excellence."

    ARG culture promotes ongoing training and mentoring that is intended to be a developmental partnership for all (employees are subject to ongoing performance reviews and feedback).

    This is not a job bid - external recruiting is being conducted concurrently with internal posting. Applicant will be selected based on qualifications and a job interview; final selection will rest solely with the Company.

    Qualified individuals must be able to perform essential job functions with or without reasonable accommodations.

    The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed; they are not to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities.

    EEO Employer -ARG is committed to providing reasonable accommodation in our recruiting and employment practices. If assistance is needed to participate in the application or interview process, or to perform essential job functions, please contact Human Resources at .



    PI

  5. Post your job

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

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with journeyman welders they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit journeyman welders who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your journeyman welder job on Zippia to find and recruit journeyman welder candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting journeyman welders requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    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 welder

    Once you've decided on a perfect journeyman welder candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new journeyman welder. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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How much does it cost to hire a journeyman welder?

Before you start to hire journeyman welders, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire journeyman welders pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for journeyman welders is $44,147 in the US. However, the cost of journeyman welder hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a journeyman welder for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $14 and $29 an hour.

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