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Structural welder skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025
3 min read
Quoted experts
Ryan Houtcooper,
Ryan Houtcooper
Structural welder example skills
Below we've compiled a list of the most critical structural welder skills. We ranked the top skills for structural welders based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 9.5% of structural welder resumes contained smaw as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a structural welder needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 structural welder skills for your resume and career

1. SMAW

Here's how structural welders use smaw:
  • Welded furnace boxes, piping systems, structural I-beams, and pipe rack supports using SMAW process for new construction.
  • Unloaded trucks, did some lay-out, rigging and structural welding using shielded metal arc (SMAW).

2. FCAW

Here's how structural welders use fcaw:
  • Welded complete parts utilizing FCAW welding techniques under AWS D1.1 and AWS D1.2 codes.
  • Welded on structural I-beams and bases in a fabrication shop using FCAW and GMAW.

3. MIG

MIG is a specific type of welding in which two base materials are welded together using a solid wire electrode fed through a welding gun and into the weld pool.

Here's how structural welders use mig:
  • Used equipment and welded parts using MIG and SMAC welding procedures to meet specified engineering requirements under guidance and supervision.
  • Specialized in MIG hand welding, torch and plasma cutting, forklift operating, hand blasting and saw operating.

4. Arc Welding

Here's how structural welders use arc welding:
  • Have pipe fitting and stick welding knowledge as well as being AWS certified in all positions with flux core arc welding.
  • Operated gas and arc welding equipment on all types of materials such as carbon steel, stainless steel, and aluminum.

5. GMAW

Here's how structural welders use gmaw:
  • Welded, and fabricated pressure vessels using GMAW process.
  • Weld Parts using GMAW Process and Spray Transfer.

6. Hand Tools

Here's how structural welders use hand tools:
  • Repair by dismantling, straightening, reshaping and reassembling work pieces, using cutting torch and other hand tools.
  • Positioned aligned, fitted, and welded together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.

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7. Carbon Steel

Here's how structural welders use carbon steel:
  • Experience welding multiple types of material possibly including but not limited to: carbon steel, stainless, aluminum and chrome.
  • Stick and flux core welding on carbon steel plates, mild steel, and all other types of industrial applications.

8. OSHA

Here's how structural welders use osha:
  • Ensured that all procedures adhered to the minimum OSHA standards and guidelines and the guidelines of the contracting company.
  • Have attended multiple OSHA compliance seminars and have knowledge and experience working with OSHA standards and regulations.

9. Ladders

Here's how structural welders use ladders:
  • Swarmed up ladders or worked on scaffolds to install pipes in the pipe rack.
  • Installed miscellaneous iron such as access platforms and ladders & shot nelson studs.

10. Safety Equipment

Here's how structural welders use safety equipment:
  • Operate safety equipment according to safety guidelines.
  • Operated safety equipment and used safe work habits while welding components in 2g, 3g, or 4g positions.

11. Flux Core Wire

Here's how structural welders use flux core wire:
  • Welded fountains using flux core wire 0.45 and single pass welds all around the foundation.
  • Welded all positions 045 and 052 flux core wire.

12. Aluminum

Aluminum is the most common nonferrous metal and the most prevalent metallic material in the Earth's crust. Aluminum is never found in its metallic form in nature, but its compounds can be found in varying degrees in nearly all minerals, vegetation, and animals. Cans, foils, cooking utensils, door frames, kegs, and aeroplane pieces are all made of aluminum.

Here's how structural welders use aluminum:
  • Welded plate structure* Welded pipe* Welded aluminum* Installed and fabricated* Repair welded
  • Performed basic aluminum welding on materials.

13. Stainless Steel

Stainless steel is an alloy of iron, chromium, carbon, and some other metals with corrosion-resistant properties. The components of steel include less than 1% carbon, 1% manganese, and small quantities of other elements such as phosphorus, silicon, sulfur, and oxygen. Iron and carbon are the two essential components of steel. Stainless steel is resistant to tarnishing and rust.

Here's how structural welders use stainless steel:
  • Box 22642Long Beach, CA 90801Stainless Steel Structural WelderDemo work on catalyst screen frames and installed new frames.
  • Repair Hopper, Cut out worn parts, replaced with new irons, done some stainless steel maintenance welding

14. Overhead Positions

Here's how structural welders use overhead positions:
  • Welded in flat, vertical, horizontal, and overhead positions with 1/16th flux-cored wire, 7018 and 6010 rods.
  • Welded in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions and examines weld for bead size and other specification.

15. Gas Welding

Here's how structural welders use gas welding:
  • Set up equipment and welded parts, using arc, gas-shielded arc, submerged arc, or arc gas welding equipment.
  • Metal fabrication to drawing specifications using Tungsten arc gas welding procedures.
top-skills

What skills help Structural Welders find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on structural welder resumes?

Ryan Houtcooper

Professor of Welding, University of Alaska Southeast

The skills that stand out most depend a great deal on the geographic location of the individual. For example, if I were to have someone approach me for a job here in Ketchikan, I would look for two things. Is the person capable of welding aluminum and stainless steel? Now, if I were still down in the midwest chasing pipelines and someone came to me for a job, I would be looking for two different things. Is the person capable and efficient at fitting and welding pipes? However, should a person who has a magnitude of experience and is well rounded in most welding processes ever approach for a job, then that person would supersede anyone who has just one or two capabilities.

What soft skills should all structural welders possess?

Ryan Houtcooper

Professor of Welding, University of Alaska Southeast

For a welder, having PATIENCE is the biggest attribute. But there are a few other key factors that go into the success of a welder's career, such as having good communication skills, both written and oral. Having the knowledge and ability to do mathematical problem solving, along with the ability to read blueprints/shop drawings. These are the most critical aspects to the welder.

What hard/technical skills are most important for structural welders?

Ryan Houtcooper

Professor of Welding, University of Alaska Southeast

Knowing how to troubleshoot welding equipment, setting up and taking down equipment related to the trade (pan breaks, plate rollers, plate shears, torch sets, overhead cranes, forklifts, CNC machines, etc...). Rigging heavy objects for crane picks is also an important factor for big outfits.
Do you want to know more?
Read more about what experts have to say about structural welder

List of structural welder skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a structural welder resume and required skills for a structural welder to have include:

  • SMAW
  • FCAW
  • MIG
  • Arc Welding
  • GMAW
  • Hand Tools
  • Carbon Steel
  • OSHA
  • Ladders
  • Safety Equipment
  • Flux Core Wire
  • Aluminum
  • Stainless Steel
  • Overhead Positions
  • Gas Welding
  • GTAW
  • Pressure Vessels
  • Jigs
  • Tig Welding
  • Structural Forms
  • Torches
  • Plasma Arc
  • Safety Rules
  • TIG
  • Engineering Drawings
  • Brazing
  • Gmaw Welding
  • Air Arc
  • Flame Cutting
  • Hand Torch
  • Work Platforms
  • Safety Procedures
  • Structural Components
  • Cutting Torches
  • Fabrication Shop
  • I-Beams
  • Mild Steel
  • Overhead Cranes
  • JLG
  • Fall Protection
  • Quality Welds
  • Pipe Supports
  • Demo
  • Portable Welding
  • Tack Welding
  • Hoists

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

Updated January 8, 2025

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