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.
Journeyman welder responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real journeyman welder resumes:
- 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
- Perform welding using MIG, stick, and flux-core welding procedures.
- Work where need; flown to Georgia to aluminum wire weld/recondition high power electric rectifier
- Provide technical oversight for plumbing layout/design, implementation of engineering changes and modifications per blueprints and engineering drawings.
- Certify in welding including knowledge of ASME, ASE and API codes and boiler code qualify.
- Maintain and service HVAC systems and refrigeration equipment.
Journeyman welder skills and personality traits
We calculated that 17% of Journeyman Welders are proficient in MIG, Brazing, and Jigs. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Manual dexterity, and Technical skills.
We break down the percentage of Journeyman Welders that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- MIG, 17%
Perform fusion welding on aerospace propulsion systems using Electron Beam, TIG, MIG, and Glove Box Welding.
- Brazing, 12%
Devised or built fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
- Jigs, 12%
Fabricated jigs, fixtures and special tools for welders and mechanics to assist and cut time needed to assemble vehicles.
- Flux Core, 10%
Assembled & welded bag house & scrubber systems using flux core and stick process.
- Overhead Positions, 9%
Weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions.
- TIG, 7%
Certified 6G in TIG, and Stick welding procedures under B31.1 welding code for steel, and stainless steels.
Most journeyman welders use their skills in "mig," "brazing," and "jigs" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential journeyman welder responsibilities here:
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a journeyman welder to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers perform precision work, often with straight edges." Journeyman welders often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "general metal fabrication welding (mig/tig) detail quality assurance"
Manual dexterity. Many journeyman welder duties rely on manual dexterity. "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must have a steady hand to hold a torch in place," so a journeyman welder will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways journeyman welder responsibilities rely on manual dexterity: "perform automatic and manual welding of titanium bonded wing carry-thru assemblies for b-1b. "
Physical strength. For certain journeyman welder responsibilities to be completed, the job requires competence in "physical strength." The day-to-day duties of a journeyman welder rely on this skill, as "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must be able to lift heavy pieces of metal and move welding or cutting equipment." For example, this snippet was taken directly from a resume about how this skill applies to what journeyman welders do: "worked with the safety coordinator to insure all welding was done according to osha standards and weld strength test were passed. "
The three companies that hire the most journeyman welders are:
- American Refining Group5 journeyman welders jobs
- Huntington Ingalls Industries2 journeyman welders jobs
- TDIndustries2 journeyman welders jobs
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Compare different journeyman welders
Journeyman welder vs. Fabricator
A 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. Furthermore, a fabricator needs to coordinate with all workforce members to remain informed on any changes or updates in the production operations while adhering to the company's policies and safety standards.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between journeyman welders and fabricator. For instance, journeyman welder responsibilities require skills such as "overhead positions," "fcaw," "ladders," and "plasma arc." Whereas a fabricator is skilled in "basic math," "calipers," "math," and "tape measure." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Fabricators tend to make the most money working in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $42,665. In contrast, journeyman welders make the biggest average salary, $48,180, in the construction industry.The education levels that fabricators earn slightly differ from journeyman welders. In particular, fabricators are 1.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a journeyman welder. Additionally, they're 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Journeyman welder vs. Ship fitter
Ship 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. They are the ones who coordinate a fixed tank working on ships and submarines, as well as the sonar dome work. They serve as part of a team composing shipbuilders. It is their duty to lead and assist in welding copper, PVC, flange piping, and steel. They should also refurbish the older rigs with advanced technologies.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that journeyman welder responsibilities requires skills like "overhead positions," "ladders," "gtaw," and "safety procedures." But a ship fitter might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "tack-weld," "math," "tack welding," and "tape measure."
On average, ship fitters earn a higher salary than journeyman welders. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, ship fitters earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $54,661. Whereas journeyman welders have higher pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $48,180.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Ship fitters tend to reach similar levels of education than journeyman welders. In fact, they're 0.9% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Journeyman welder vs. Welder first class
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a journeyman welder is likely to be skilled in "mig," "aluminum," "ladders," and "safety procedures," while a typical welder first class is skilled in "gmaw," "safety equipment," "safety guidelines," and "tack."
When it comes to education, welders first class tend to earn similar degree levels compared to journeyman welders. In fact, they're 1.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 1.2% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Journeyman welder vs. Welder-assembler
Types of journeyman welder
Updated January 8, 2025
