What does a welder do?
Welders are skilled workers who primarily work on metals and other metalworks. One of the most commonly known activities that welders do is fusing materials that are made of metal. They usually work on buildings, large pipes, and cars. They also fix holes or any other imperfection on metal materials. They do these by applying heat using welding torches or any other special tools that they have. Welders are also responsible for studying blueprints related to the items they will work on, ensuring that all needed materials are available, practicing occupational safety and health protocols, and maintaining the welding tools they use.
Welder responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real welder resumes:
- Manage and run production parts through the brake.
- Weld with oxyacetylene, MIG, and brazing all kind of materials like bronze, platinum, aluminum, and flux.
- Experience TIG, plasma cutting, brazing, torch cutting, shears press, bending and manipulating heated metal.
- Fabricate and weld car carrier trailers using MIG welding method, used overhead cranes to lift weld pieces up.
- Fabricate and weld the steel reinforcement and forms according to print on a vibratory bed using MIG and GMAW welding.
- Experience welding pipe ranging from 2"up to 72"pressure vessels using the GMAW and FCAW welding process.
- Job responsibilities include reading blueprints, TIG, MIG, and stick welding, fabricating, and rolling angle iron.
- Blueprint reading, layout, fit-up, and welding of specialty metals using the GTAW process combine with production GMAW.
- Close attention to detail is a must in this position, and also have to be AWS certify in aluminum.
- Apply welding processes of MIG and SMAW to assemble, fabricate metal products in compliance with blueprints, drawings and specifications.
- Complete the required welding of hand rails, frames, and other structural designs using the GMAW and GTAW welding processes.
- Preheat various thicknesses of metals utilizing cutting torches, and cut smaller pieces of metal used to aid in welding seams.
- Change gear boxes, sprockets, shafts, replace belts as well as welding using TIG, MIG and stick welders.
- Weld caterpillar and john deere parts
- Weld turbos and exhaust for semi trucks and caterpillar engines.
Welder skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Welders are proficient in Arc Welding, Aluminum, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Manual dexterity, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Welders that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Arc Welding, 8%
Performed high-quality gas metal arc welding and weld testing for manufacturing electrical bus.
- Aluminum, 7%
Assembled then welded various aluminum and steel parts; assembled military environmental control and power generation trailers.
- Hand Tools, 7%
Fabricated in shop used band saw, iron machine, magnetic drill, grinder, acetylene cutting and other hand tools.
- Tig Welding, 6%
Welded on steel, stainless steel, aluminum and all types of pipe using MIG, stick and TIG welding processes.
- Stainless Steel, 5%
Used blueprint reading on various fabrication and welding projects using MIG and TIG on steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
- GMAW, 5%
Welded structural steel for buildings, signs, and a bridge for pipes to cross a span using the GMAW processes.
Common skills that a welder uses to do their job include "arc welding," "aluminum," and "hand tools." You can find details on the most important welder responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a welder to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers perform precision work, often with straight edges." Welders often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "followed detailed engineering drawings to weld products to specifications. "
Manual dexterity. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling welder duties is manual dexterity. The role rewards competence in this skill because "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must have a steady hand to hold a torch in place." According to a welder resume, here's how welders can utilize manual dexterity in their job responsibilities: "interpreted engineering drawings, sketches and technical manuals to manufacture high strength seating that accommodates thousands of spectators. "
Physical strength. Another skill that relates to the job responsibilities of welders is physical strength. This skill is critical to many everyday welder duties, as "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must be able to lift heavy pieces of metal and move welding or cutting equipment." This example from a resume shows how this skill is used: "interpreted engineering drawings and sketches and technical manuals to manufacture install high strength repair members and plates. "
The three companies that hire the most welders are:
- Aerotek281 welders jobs
- Tradesmen International208 welders jobs
- Morgan Truck Body141 welders jobs
Choose from 10+ customizable welder resume templates
Build a professional welder resume in minutes. Our AI resume writing assistant will guide you through every step of the process, and you can choose from 10+ resume templates to create your welder resume.
Compare different welders
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 welders and fabricator. For instance, welder responsibilities require skills such as "safety equipment," "plasma arc," "fcaw," and "mig." Whereas a fabricator is skilled in "basic math," "calipers," "math," and "mig." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Fabricators really shine in the finance industry with an average salary of $42,665. Comparatively, welders tend to make the most money in the automotive industry with an average salary of $45,059.On average, fabricators reach similar levels of education than welders. Fabricators are 0.3% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Welder vs. Saw operator
Saw operators are responsible for setting up and operating power saws to slot, cut, and trim metallic and non-metallic materials. They are the ones who choose and install blades on machinery using hand-tools and verify dimensions of finished material using measuring devices. They may perform additional tasks such as loading saws and monitoring sawing operations, and replacing damaged or worn saw blades. Saw operators are also responsible for recording data on production reports and assisting staff with the maintenance and repair of saw equipment.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real welder resumes. While welder responsibilities can utilize skills like "arc welding," "tig welding," "gmaw," and "safety equipment," saw operators use skills like "basic math," "math," "verifies dimensions," and "machine operation."
On average, saw operators earn a lower salary than welders. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, saw operators earn the most pay in the construction industry with an average salary of $36,227. Whereas welders have higher pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $45,059.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Saw operators tend to reach similar levels of education than welders. In fact, they're 1.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, welders are more likely to have skills like "plasma arc," "mig," "tig," and "gtaw." But a ship fitter is more likely to have skills like "tack-weld," "math," "cranes," and "basic math."
Ship fitters earn the best pay in the technology industry, where they command an average salary of $54,661. Welders earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $45,059.ship fitters typically earn similar educational levels compared to welders. Specifically, they're 0.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Welder vs. Metal fabricator
A metal fabricator manipulates metal for construction and manufacturing companies. They are required to cut, shape, position and align different metals. They must also understand assembly instructions, ensure required parts are available, and ensure parts meet quality control standards. They attend product development meetings, test products for functionality, troubleshoot and stress test products to determine possible shortcomings, make detailed reports outlining product malfunctions, verify product dimensions, and maintain the product schedule.
Types of welder
Updated January 8, 2025
