How to hire a welder-machine operator

How to hire a welder-machine operator, step by step

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

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you start hiring a welder-machine operator, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   A welder-machine operator's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, welder-machine operators 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.

   The following list breaks down different types of welder-machine operators and their corresponding salaries.

   Type of Welder-Machine Operator	Description	Hourly rate
   Welder-Machine Operator	Metal and plastic machine workers set up and operate machines that cut, shape, and form metal and plastic materials or pieces.	$12-23
   TIG Welder	A tungsten inert gas (TIG) welder is someone who assembles and welds metal parts for use in manufacturing or construction projects. The duties and responsibilities of a TIG welder include ensuring the quality of metal parts before assembling them, reading and interpreting blueprints, and observing safety procedures... Show more	$13-23
   MIG Welder	The MIG welder is responsible for creating metal projects using inert gas welding techniques and electric arc processes. MIG welders carefully fuse metal components, avoiding contamination on the weld, as well as managing the metal bond defects... Show more	$13-21

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Arc Welding
   • Safety Equipment
   • Stainless Steel
   • CNC
   • Tig Welding
   • Tape Measure
   • Tack
   • Overhead Cranes
   • Machine Operation
   • Plasma Arc
   • GMAW
   • Spot Welding
   • Torches
   • Assembly Line

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Weld required parts using GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW.
   • Require to weld a wide veriety of assemblies, fabricate parts and maintain equipment and fixtures employing GMAW and GTAW techniques.
   • Operate the welding robots and do rework with the MIG welder.
   • Weld both steel and aluminum pressure tanks for both train and truck air brake systems.
   • Dismantle metal assemblies and cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
   • Position, align, fit, and weld together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.

   More welder-machine operator duties

3. Make a budget

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

   • Location. For example, welder-machine operators' average salary in kentucky is 33% less than in nevada.
   • Seniority. Entry-level welder-machine operators earn 45% less than senior-level welder-machine operators.
   • Certifications. A welder-machine operator 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 welder-machine operator's salary.

   Average welder-machine operator salary

   $37,171yearly

   $17.87 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level welder-machine operator salary

   $27,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 13, 2025

   Average welder-machine operator salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$46,654	$22
   2	Ohio	$42,857	$21
   3	Arizona	$41,348	$20
   4	Pennsylvania	$41,134	$20
   5	Wisconsin	$39,815	$19
   6	Oregon	$39,714	$19
   7	New Jersey	$39,275	$19
   8	Mississippi	$38,053	$18
   9	New York	$37,936	$18
   10	Indiana	$37,628	$18
   11	North Carolina	$36,442	$18
   12	Minnesota	$35,983	$17
   13	Texas	$34,829	$17
   14	Tennessee	$34,501	$17
   15	Iowa	$34,040	$16
   16	Kansas	$33,410	$16
   17	Michigan	$33,017	$16
   18	Illinois	$32,430	$16
   19	Missouri	$32,175	$15

   Average welder-machine operator salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BWX Technologies	$63,623	$30.59	11
   2	Ichor Systems	$53,091	$25.52	5
   3	NOV	$51,804	$24.91	33
   4	BorgWarner	$44,541	$21.41
   5	Valmont Industries	$43,598	$20.96	54
   6	Laclede Chain	$43,355	$20.84	2
   7	Eaton	$43,031	$20.69	76
   8	Atkore International	$42,286	$20.33	18
   9	Stanley Black & Decker	$39,614	$19.05	17
   10	IMMI	$39,383	$18.93
   11	Wood-Mizer/Wood Products	$39,277	$18.88
   12	Nuclear Fuel Services	$38,896	$18.70
   13	Allentown	$37,744	$18.15	1
   14	Randstad North America, Inc.	$36,612	$17.60	7
   15	Core & Main	$36,129	$17.37	19
   16	Basden Steel	$35,867	$17.24	4
   17	Aerotek	$35,837	$17.23	690
   18	Kelly Services	$35,739	$17.18	121
   19	O'Neal Industries Inc	$35,583	$17.11	34
   20	Staffmark	$35,574	$17.10

4. Writing a welder-machine operator job description

   A welder-machine operator 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-machine operator job description:

   Welder-machine operator job description example

   ** Participate in and support lean manufacturing programs and principles with a focus to reduce costs with quality product such as Total Productive Maintenance (TPM), Suggestion System, etc. Actively participate in Continuous Improvement to continually strive to improve our processes and procedures. Adhere to 5S: Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardize, Sustain.

   **Environmental:

   ** Employee is responsible for complying and supporting any environmental policies and programs put in place by Batesville Tool & Die, Inc. (BTD). Employee may not bring any environmentally hazardous substances or compounds into BTD and is always conscious of the impact on the environment. Support and adhere to Technical Specification (TS) and International Organization for Standardization (ISO) activities and procedures.

   **Other:

   ** Perform any other duties as assigned with enthusiasm and without complaint.

   ***Physical Demands

   The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.

   The employee is continually required to stand, sit, walk, use hands to fingers, handle or touch and run work center while focused on required task. The employee is frequently required to walk, sit, reach above shoulders, and talk and/or hear. The employee is occasionally required to reach above shoulders, stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl. The employee will also be required to frequently lift up to 40 pounds and occasionally lift up to 60 pounds.

   Please note that these physical demands are based on a typical work day. Physical demands may vary based on the task assigned that day.

   ***Environmental Conditions

   While performing the duties of this job, the employee is occasionally exposed to wet, humid conditions and moving mechanical parts.

   These environmental conditions are based on a typical work day. Conditions may vary based on the task assigned that day.

   **Travel

   **

   Occasional domestic travel may be required for this position.

   ***Protective clothing/equipment required:

   1. Safety glasses
   2. Sturdy leather shoe/boot or steel toed tennis shoe
   3. Hearing Protection
   4. Gloves when performing certain jobs (Do not wear at drill press, lathe, mills, surface grinders)
   5. Kevlar Sleeves when performing certain jobs
   6. Aprons when performing certain jobs
   7. Welding gloves and helmet when performing certain jobs

   Salary info:

   $17 - $21.75 / hr

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find welder-machine operators for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your welder-machine operator job on Zippia to find and recruit welder-machine operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   Your first interview with welder-machine operator candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

   You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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-machine operator

   Once you've found the welder-machine operator candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   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.

   After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new welder-machine operator. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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.)

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