How to hire a sheet metal welder

How to hire a sheet metal welder, step by step

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

Post a sheet metal welder job for free, promote it for a fee

Post free

1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your sheet metal 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 sheet metal 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?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a sheet metal welder to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a sheet metal welder that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of sheet metal welders.

   Type of Sheet Metal Welder	Description	Hourly rate
   Sheet Metal Welder	Sheet metal workers fabricate or install products that are made from thin metal sheets, such as ducts used in heating and air conditioning systems.	$15-25
   Welder Fitter	A Welder Fitter specializes in manipulating steel, aluminum, and other materials into various industries' structural forms. The majority of a welder's responsibilities are mostly manual work, which can have risks as they use torches or lasers for their daily tasks, and there are also instances when they have to climb high structures... Show more	$13-26
   Metal Fabricator	A metal fabricator manipulates metal for construction and manufacturing companies. They are required to cut, shape, position and align different metals... Show more	$13-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • HVAC
   • MIG
   • Hand Tools
   • Stainless Steel
   • TIG
   • Tig Welding
   • Shop Drawings
   • CNC
   • Product Specifications
   • Brazing
   • GMAW
   • SMAW
   • Arc Welding
   • Jigs

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage large-scale industrial and commercial HVAC installation and service projects.
   • Can fabricate parts using templates, jigs, clamps and clecos.
   • Position parts to be weld into jigs or holding fixtures ensuring that they are properly clamp into position.
   • Work to restore aircraft to optimal performance capacity by ensuring that necessary devices are repaired and install according to FAA guidelines.
   • Fire caulking, trim returns to fit above ceiling, install exhaust for bathrooms in each apartment.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your sheet metal welder job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A sheet metal welder salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, sheet metal welders' average salary in arkansas is 48% less than in district of columbia.
   • Seniority. Entry-level sheet metal welders earn 40% less than senior-level sheet metal welders.
   • Certifications. A sheet metal welder with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a sheet metal welder's salary.

   Average sheet metal welder salary

   $41,946yearly

   $20.17 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level sheet metal welder salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

4. Writing a sheet metal welder job description

   A job description for a sheet metal 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 sheet metal welder job description:

   Sheet metal welder job description example

   RANDALL is the leading self-performing subcontractor serving Florida and the Southeast. A family-owned company, RANDALL has deep roots in the community and is perfectly positioned as an innovator in the industry. With over 1,000 employees, 14 companies and 35+ years in operation, RANDALL is considered an established, reliable and trusted partner. RANDALL’s services and products are delivered through our 100,000 sq. ft. fabrication facility, set on 25 acres in Central Florida. RANDALL also has office locations on the west coast in Tampa, Clearwater, Fort Myers and Sarasota, on the east coast in Titusville and south Florida offices in Pompano Beach and Pembroke Pines.
   

   Randall Construction is currently seeking a Sheet Metal Duct Installation Welder (HVAC) for projects around Orlando.
   
   

   • Relevant experience in the sheet metal installation field for the role sought:
     
   • • Welder (MIG) should have 3+ years of experience with the installation of large-scale sheet metal ductwork projects
       
   • Must be able read and understand blueprints
     
   • Must be available to work assigned schedules and extended hours as needed
     
   • Reliable transportation to travel to job site
     
   • Highly motivated, detail oriented.
     
   • Valid Driver’s License.
     
   • Ability to pass drug screen and reference check.
     

   
   
   Benefits

   We seek dynamic individuals who are ignited by challenge and opportunity for personal and professional growth. Are you ready to take the next step in your career? We have long term opportunities for hard-working people who want to join a winning team. RANDALL offers competitive compensation, health benefits, insurance, matching 401(k), and paid time off.
   

   We look forward to reviewing your resume!
   

   Randall is a drug free workplace.
   

   
   
   

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   To find sheet metal 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 sheet metal welders they would recommend.
   • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level sheet metal 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 sheet metal welder job on Zippia to find and attract quality sheet metal welder candidates.
   • Use niche websites such as constructionjobs.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit sheet metal welders, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up 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 sheet metal welder

   Once you've decided on a perfect sheet metal 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.

   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.)

   Sign up to download full list

   Sign up

How much does it cost to hire a sheet metal welder?