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How to hire a pipe welder

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

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a pipe 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 pipe welder to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a pipe welder, step by step

To hire a pipe welder, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a pipe welder:

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

What does a pipe welder do?

According to schematics and analyzing specifications, a pipe welder is responsible for maintaining and repairing pipe systems and components. Pipe welders inspect the quality of the materials, assemble tools for welding preparations, ensure the safety of the welding method and structural units, and strictly adhere to safety operations procedures. They also examine finished welds to identify any defects and perform adjustments as needed. A pipe welder must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to operate machinery and construct a safe piping system.

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

    The pipe welder hiring process starts by determining what type of worker you actually need. Certain roles might require a full-time employee, whereas part-time workers or contractors can do others.

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

    Hiring the perfect 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.

    This list shows salaries for various types of pipe welders.

    Type of Pipe WelderDescriptionHourly rate
    Pipe 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.$15-30
    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:
    • Carbon Steel
    • MIG
    • Hand Tools
    • TIG
    • SMAW
    • GTAW
    • Tig Welding
    • Arc Welding
    • FCAW
    • GMAW
    • Safety Equipment
    • Aluminum
    • Flux Core
    • Rough Spots
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Silver solder, TIG, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW weld mild steel stainless steel aluminum and copper nickel respectively.
    • Weld carbon and stainless steel pipe in position and roll out machines utilizing GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW processes.
    • Skil in all types of welding, including MIG, TIG, stick, aluminum and stainless steel.
    • Work with TIG and MIG welding systems, as well as forklifts and overhead cranes up to 30 tons.
    • Work safely under OSHA safety and PPE standards.
    • Used aluminum GMAW for structural supports and some larger fabrications.
    More pipe welder duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in the pipe welder job description is a good way to get more applicants. A pipe welder salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

    For example, the average salary for a pipe welder in Arizona may be lower than in Alaska, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level pipe welder. Additionally, a pipe welder with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

    Average pipe welder salary

    $46,364yearly

    $22.29 hourly rate

    Entry-level pipe welder salary
    $33,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 11, 2025

    Average pipe welder salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Rhode Island$57,373$28
    2Virginia$54,878$26
    3Illinois$54,034$26
    4California$53,854$26
    5Michigan$50,304$24
    6Alabama$49,520$24
    7Ohio$49,374$24
    8Louisiana$48,046$23
    9North Carolina$45,691$22
    10Texas$45,545$22
    11Tennessee$44,191$21
    12South Carolina$44,024$21
    13Florida$43,645$21
    14Iowa$43,343$21
    15Arizona$42,652$21
    16Oklahoma$42,495$20
    17Kentucky$42,374$20
    18Georgia$41,920$20

    Average pipe welder salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Forum Energy Technologies$69,715$33.5214
    2Apache$65,629$31.55
    3Clark Construction Group$64,621$31.0730
    4Hardy$60,974$29.313
    5McCarthy Holdings, Inc.$59,233$28.482
    6Sundt Construction$59,112$28.427
    7PC Construction$57,174$27.494
    8Austin Industries$56,615$27.2212
    9Matrix Service Company$56,387$27.1122
    10Elite Construction$56,237$27.04
    11Turner Industries$55,910$26.8818
    12Crowder$55,856$26.85
    13TIC Holdings Inc$55,707$26.78
    14Science and Technology$55,664$26.76
    15The Systems Group$55,342$26.616
    16SpaceX$54,878$26.3827
    17General Dynamics$54,582$26.2426
    18danos$53,500$25.72
    19RK$53,370$25.6611
    20Kiewit$52,589$25.282
  4. Writing a pipe welder job description

    A 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 pipe welder job description:

    Pipe welder job description example

    1. Plan pipe system layout, installation, or repair according to specifications.

    2. Inspect, examine, and test installed systems and pipe lines, using pressure gauge, hydrostatic testing, observation, or other methods

    3. Select pipe sizes and types and related materials, such as supports, hangers, and hydraulic cylinders, according to specifications.

    4. Measure and mark pipes for cutting and threading.

    5. Attach pipes to walls, structures and fixtures such as radiators, exchangers, or tanks, using brackets, clamps, tools or welding equipment.

    6. Assemble and secure pipes, tubes, fittings, and related equipment, according to specifications, by using welding, brazing, cementing, soldering, and threading joint methods.

    7. Layout or review full scale drawings of pipe systems, supports, and related equipment, following blueprints. Ability to provide sketches or corrections on drawings as needed.

    8. Turn valves to shut off steam, water, or other gases or liquids from pipe sections, using valve keys or wrenches. (Marine divisions only)

    9. Cut, thread, and install pipe to specifications, using tools such as saws, cutting torches, and pipe threaders and benders.

    10. Remove and replace worn component.

    Required Education & Experience:

    1. High School Diploma, one year certificate from college or technical school preferred.

    2. Industrial and/or marine pipe fitting experience:

    · 1st Class: 3-5 years

    · 2nd Class: 1-3 years

    3. NCCER card preferred.

    Working Conditions:

    1. Open-air conditions such as noisy, hot, cold, etc.

    2. Must wear hearing, eye, head protection and proper PPE.

    3. Some climbing (100 feet) and lifting (50 lbs.) involved.

    4. Traverse gangways and scaffolding at varying heights while wearing fall prevention equipment.

    5. Working with hot and sometimes hazardous materials.

    6. Aboard ships, both on and offshore as well as confined spaces.

    7. Must be able to stand and operate equipment up to four continuous hours.

    8. The work requires long periods of sitting in awkward positions, standing on a variety of surfaces and at differing angles, bending over, crouching and climbing up and over obstructions such as scaffolding, ladders, and internal barge and boat structural members.

    Necessary Equipment Operation:

    1. Cutting Torch

    2. Squares

    3. Levels

    4. Hand and Power Tools

    Special Skills:

    1. Ability to work under deadlines and schedule pressures.

    2. Ability to read and interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings and technical manuals.

    3. Perform basic mathematical functions.

    4. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

    5. High performance and a strong team player.

    6. Commitment to company values, policies and procedures and safety program.

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  5. Post your job

    To find 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 pipe welders they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level 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 pipe welder job on Zippia to find and recruit pipe welder candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    During your first interview to recruit pipe welders, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

    Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 pipe welder

    Once you have selected a candidate for the pipe welder position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize 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.

    Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new pipe welder. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

  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 pipe welder?

Recruiting pipe welders involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $46,364 per year for a pipe welder, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for pipe welders in the US typically range between $15 and $30 an hour.

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