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How to hire a welder/machinist

Welder/machinist hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring welder/machinists in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire a welder/machinist is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per welder/machinist on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 145,075 welder/machinists in the US and 17,543 job openings.
  • Altoona, IA, has the highest demand for welder/machinists, with 2 job openings.
  • Houston, TX has the highest concentration of welder/machinists.

How to hire a welder/machinist, step by step

To hire a welder/machinist, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a welder/machinist:

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

    First, determine the employments status of the welder/machinist you need to hire. Certain welder/machinist roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    A welder/machinist's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, welder/machinists 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/machinists and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Welder/MachinistDescriptionHourly rate
    Welder/MachinistMachinists and tool and die makers set up and operate a variety of computer-controlled and mechanically controlled machine tools to produce precision metal parts, instruments, and tools.$13-24
    GrinderDepending on the industry, a grinder has a diverse range of duties. Typically, they oversee setting up and operating bearing grinders, cam grinders, and CNC lathes... Show more$12-19
    Tool TechnicianTool technicians are skilled professionals who are responsible for repairing a variety of pneumatic and hand tools as well as disassemble defective electrical equipment in a manufacturing firm using these hand tools. These technicians are required to coordinate with other areas of the company to schedule and perform preventive maintenance duties... Show more$13-29
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • Manual Lathes
    • Hand Tools
    • CNC Machines
    • Blueprint Specifications
    • Arc Welding
    • Grinders
    • Stainless Steel
    • Aluminum
    • Safety Equipment
    • Engineering Drawings
    • Drill Press
    • Tig Welding
    • AWS
    • Micrometers
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Design and produce parts for production items on CNC mills and manual lathe.
    • Perform stick and MIG welding, and oxyacetylene cutting to finish the job.
    • Operate brazing, heat-treating, and welding equipment to cut, solder, and braze metal.
    • Receive training on set up and programming on MAZAK 510C vertical mills, utilizing the MAZATROL controller.
    • Operate a band see chop see, milling machine, presses, drill presses, grinders & sanders.
    • Programme, set up, and operate HURCO VMX vertical machining center (using EASYCAM cad system).
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your welder/machinist job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A welder/machinist salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, welder/machinists' average salary in north carolina is 37% less than in new jersey.
    • Seniority. Entry-level welder/machinists earn 42% less than senior-level welder/machinists.
    • Certifications. A welder/machinist 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/machinist's salary.

    Average welder/machinist salary

    $38,338yearly

    $18.43 hourly rate

    Entry-level welder/machinist salary
    $29,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 14, 2025
  4. Writing a welder/machinist job description

    A welder/machinist 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. To help get you started, here's an example of a welder/machinist job description:

    Welder/machinist job description example

    1. With limited supervision uses various machines, hand tools and welders to fabricate and repair aircraft and non-aircraft tools and aircraft parts according to blue prints, customer requests and manufacturer's specifications following company procedures. Participates in training to use metal flame spray equipment to repair turbine engine parts.

    2. Prepares proper documentation, including work orders, purchase orders, etc. Researches aircraft manufacturer's manuals for repair specifications for work to be completed. Orders tools and materials in preparation for current and future repairs.

    3. Maintains and cleans equipment and shop area.

    4. Maintains current industry, equipment and FAA knowledge by attending factory classes, OJT and by researching and reading technical documents, trade publications, FAR's, etc. Assists lesser-experienced technicians in interpreting Company policies and the FAR's.

    5. Available to work all department alternate shifts as needed, and able to accomplish road trips within the United States and also other countries as needed.

    6. Performs other related duties as assigned by management.

    Job Specific Requirements

    • Licenses/Certificate: Working on or in receipt of welding certification (AWSD17.1); valid driver's license and acceptable driving records; respirator fit eligible
    • Attendance: Regularly scheduled attendance required
    • Physical: Routinely lifts 50 lbs., occasionally lifts 100 lbs.; reads small print; hearing sounds associated with mechanical deficiencies; repetitive motion, works with moving parts and vibration; works in heights above four feet; tolerates products and materials associated with component maintenance; tolerates standing, walking, bending, kneeling, stooping, crouching, crawling, climbing and sitting
    • Environmental: Tolerates working in noisy environments

    Education and Experience

    Machinist I:

    • Associate degree in machining or welding or equivalent required
    • One year machining and/or welding experience preferred

    Machinist II:

    • Associate degree in machining or welding or equivalent required
    • Two years machining and/or welding experience required
    • One year aviation related experience preferred

    Machinist III:

    • Associate degree in machining or welding or equivalent required
    • Three years machining and/or welding experience required
    • Two year aviation related experience preferred

    Duncan Aviation is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer. EOE Minorities/Females/Protected Veterans/Disabled

  5. Post your job

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

    Once you've found the welder/machinist 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/machinist. 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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How much does it cost to hire a welder/machinist?

Before you start to hire welder/machinists, it pays to consider both the one-off costs like recruitment, job promotion, and onboarding, as well as the ongoing costs of an employee's salary and benefits. While most companies that hire welder/machinists pay close attention to the initial cost of hiring, ongoing costs are much more significant in the long run.

The median annual salary for welder/machinists is $38,338 in the US. However, the cost of welder/machinist hiring can vary a lot depending on location. Additionally, hiring a welder/machinist for contract work or on a per-project basis typically costs between $13 and $24 an hour.

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