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How to hire a welder helper

Welder helper hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring welder helpers in the United States:

  • The median cost to hire a welder helper is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • HR departments typically allocate 15% of their budget towards recruitment efforts.
  • Small businesses spend $1,105 per welder helper on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • It takes approximately 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • There are a total of 253,770 welder helpers in the US, and there are currently 21,605 job openings in this field.
  • Bakersfield, CA, has the highest demand for welder helpers, with 3 job openings.

How to hire a welder helper, step by step

To hire a welder helper, 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 welder helper:

Here's a step-by-step welder helper hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a welder helper job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new welder helper
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a welder helper do?

A welder helper's role is to perform support tasks for lead welders at a construction site or similar setting. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around setting up and preparing rigs, operating devices and tools, maintaining the workspace's cleanliness, and following orders from lead welders. There may also be instances where a welder helper must pre-heat materials, lift heavy objects, participate in loading and unloading packages, and ensure that the welders are equipped with the necessary tools. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with managers and adhere to the site's safety regulations and policies.

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

    The welder helper 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?

    A welder helper's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, welder helpers from different industries or fields will have radically different experiences and will bring different viewpoints to the role. You also need to consider the candidate's previous level of experience to make sure they'll be comfortable with the job's level of seniority.

    This list shows salaries for various types of welder helpers.

    Type of Welder HelperDescriptionHourly rate
    Welder HelperWelders, 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.$10-18
    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
    Maintenance WelderA Maintenance Welder diagnoses and repairs a variety of metal work including construction vehicles and equipment. They cut, fit, and weld metal using gas and electric welding equipment.$14-25
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Grind Welds
    • MIG
    • Grinders
    • Safety Equipment
    • Arc Welding
    • GMAW
    • Brazing
    • SMAW
    • Torches
    • Pipeline Construction
    • Flux Core
    • Flame Cutting
    • Hoists
    • Jigs
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage and run production parts through the brake.
    • Weld structural material including carbon steel and stainless steel using SMAW, and MIG processes.
    • Perform welder duties using SMAW, PAC, GMAW, oxy-fuel cutting, and GTAW processes.
    • Work on vessels welding using SMAW and FCAW
    • Can also Tig weld and use the process FCAW
    • Perform welder helper duties using electric, oxyacetylene, MIG and TIG welding processes.
    More welder helper duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your welder helper job description helps attract top candidates to the position. A welder helper salary can be affected by several factors, such as geography, experience, seniority, certifications, and the prestige of the hiring company.

    For example, the average salary for a welder helper in South Carolina may be lower than in Wyoming, and an entry-level welder helper usually earns less than a senior-level welder helper. Additionally, a welder helper with certifications may command a higher salary, and working for a well-known company or start-up may also impact an employee's pay.

    Average welder helper salary

    $14.27hourly

    $29,684 yearly

    Entry-level welder helper salary
    $22,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025

    Average welder helper salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1California$35,845$17
    2Illinois$34,590$17
    3Utah$33,975$16
    4Colorado$33,503$16
    5Kansas$31,573$15
    6Ohio$30,896$15
    7Louisiana$30,146$14
    8Virginia$30,029$14
    9Texas$28,516$14
    10Missouri$28,447$14
    11Indiana$28,367$14
    12Tennessee$28,331$14
    13Arizona$28,186$14
    14Florida$27,999$13
    15Georgia$26,046$13
    16Oklahoma$26,038$13
    17Arkansas$25,755$12

    Average welder helper salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Kiewit$36,036$17.322
    2CSX$34,082$16.39
    3RailWorks$33,646$16.181
    4CMC Motocross$33,014$15.8718
    5Koch Industries$32,735$15.74
    6Heldenfels$31,965$15.37
    7Oldcastle Infrastructure$31,633$15.2113
    8Aerotek$31,595$15.19381
    9PeopleReady$31,362$15.08115
    10Elwood Staffing$31,083$14.94
    11Express Employment Indy South$31,051$14.9320
    12danos$30,692$14.76
    13Automation Personnel Services$30,551$14.6922
    14Hutco$30,537$14.6830
    15Loup Logistics$30,204$14.521
    16Norfolk Southern$30,200$14.52
    17Randstad North America, Inc.$30,129$14.49
    18Grp Inc$30,070$14.46
    19Mertz Manufacturing$29,403$14.14
    20Ryko Solutions, Inc$29,385$14.1310
  4. Writing a welder helper job description

    A welder helper 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 welder helper job description:

    Welder helper job description example

    Thomas Pump & Machinery is currently looking for a Field Service Pump Mechanic. With more than 30 years of pump manufacturing and distribution experience, our growing team consists of more than 45 employees and 2 company-owned branches. Thomas Pump & Machinery continues to evolve and grow through new and exciting innovations, expanded product offerings, and value-added repair services that support our all of our customer's needs!

    We offer a competitive employment package including competitive pay, accrual of PTO days starting 30 days from hire, choice of group health insurance plans, 100% paid dental, vision, and life insurance for the employee, 401K retirement with a 5% match, and much more!

    A successful candidate will be dependable, with strong problem-solving skills and excellent safety record. Experience in mechanical repair, trouble shooting, and services of pump equipment preferred. Other job requirements include work order documentation, good communication and organizational skills.

    We strive to be the supplier, employer, and investment of choice in our industry. At Thomas Pump & Machinery, Service is Our Commitment.

    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS:

    1. Precisely cut steel for fabrication using bandsaw.
    2. Clean, deburr and prime steel, pre and post weld.
    3. Ability to cut and form material using a torch;
    4. Must be willing to work after hours and weekends when needed.
    5. Correctly Mix and spray skids and systems with single part and 2 part epoxy paint.;
    6. Examine form and texture of parts to detect imperfections;
    7. Operate lathe, drill press, grinder, and other metalworking tools to make and repair parts;

    Required:

    1. Must be able to accurately read a tape measure.
    2. Must be punctual, showing up to work every day is a must.
    3. Must have safety toe boots and wear PPE every day.
    4. Must be willing to learn new things.
  5. Post your job

    To find welder helpers 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 welder helpers they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit entry-level welder helpers 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 welder helper job on Zippia to find and recruit welder helper 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 welder helpers, 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.

    It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you 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 welder helper

    Once you have selected a candidate for the welder helper 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

    To prepare for the new welder helper first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

  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 welder helper?

Hiring a welder helper comes with both the one-time cost per hire and ongoing costs. The cost of recruiting welder helpers involves promoting the job and spending time conducting interviews. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider the cost of welder helper recruiting as well the ongoing costs of maintaining the new employee.

You can expect to pay around $29,684 per year for a welder helper, 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 welder helpers in the US typically range between $10 and $18 an hour.

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