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How to hire a welder operator

Welder operator hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring welder operators 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 operator is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per welder operator on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 262,743 welder operators in the US and 51,229 job openings.
  • Steele, AL, has the highest demand for welder operators, with 2 job openings.
  • Holland, MI has the highest concentration of welder operators.

How to hire a welder operator, step by step

To hire a welder operator, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a welder operator:

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

    Before you start hiring a welder 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?

    Hiring the perfect welder operator also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    Here's a comparison of welder operator salaries for various roles:

    Type of Welder OperatorDescriptionHourly rate
    Welder OperatorWelders, 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.$12-18
    Structural WelderThe job of structural welders is to design, layout, and fabricate the metal framework for industrial and commercial buildings. They work for a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction... Show more$14-27
    Combo WelderA Combo Welder specializes in operating welding equipment to build and maintain structures or systems made of metal. It is also their responsibility to understand and adhere to schematics and guidelines, prepare materials, ensure measurements, and maintain an active communication line with co-workers for a smooth and safe workflow... Show more$16-30
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • MIG
    • Arc Welding
    • Hand Tools
    • Safety Equipment
    • Tig Welding
    • GMAW
    • Quality Checks
    • Aluminum
    • TIG
    • Safety Rules
    • Safety Procedures
    • General Maintenance
    • Plasma Arc
    • Spot Welding
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
    • Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
    • Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
    • Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
    • Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
    • Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.
    More welder operator duties
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your welder operator job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A welder operator salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, welder operators' average salary in florida is 38% less than in wyoming.
    • Seniority. Entry-level welder operators earn 34% less than senior-level welder operators.
    • Certifications. A welder 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 operator's salary.

    Average welder operator salary

    $15.23hourly

    $31,669 yearly

    Entry-level welder operator salary
    $25,000 yearly salary
    Updated December 20, 2025

    Average welder operator salary by state

    RankStateAvg. salaryHourly rate
    1Massachusetts$37,343$18
    2Colorado$37,020$18
    3New Mexico$35,471$17
    4Indiana$33,823$16
    5Wisconsin$33,247$16
    6Illinois$33,109$16
    7Kansas$32,890$16
    8California$32,828$16
    9Pennsylvania$31,356$15
    10Missouri$31,109$15
    11Ohio$30,624$15
    12Tennessee$30,438$15
    13Alabama$30,170$15
    14Kentucky$29,920$14
    15Georgia$29,440$14
    16Michigan$29,330$14

    Average welder operator salary by company

    RankCompanyAverage salaryHourly rateJob openings
    1Capco$40,867$19.65
    2Valmont Industries$40,820$19.6344
    3RailWorks$37,961$18.258
    4Flex-N-Gate$36,667$17.63
    5Black Hills$36,646$17.623
    6Leggett & Platt$36,250$17.433
    7Brunswick$35,812$17.2211
    8Nucor$35,665$17.1525
    9Laclede Chain$35,567$17.10
    10Knoll$34,653$16.66
    11Worthington Industries$34,542$16.615
    12Aerotek$33,736$16.22652
    13Staffmark$33,540$16.13
    14Adecco$33,540$16.13252
    15Webster Industries$33,318$16.02
    16Plymouth Tube$33,263$15.991
    17AtWork$33,186$15.9518
    18Elwood Staffing$33,161$15.94
    19Austal$33,076$15.903
    20The Reserves Network$32,870$15.8025
  4. Writing a welder operator job description

    A good welder operator job description should include a few things:

    • Summary of the role
    • List of responsibilities
    • Required skills and experience

    Including a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager is also appreciated by candidates. Here's an example of a welder operator job description:

    Welder operator job description example


    ESSENTIAL JOB FUNCTIONS (95%)

    The Micro Weld Operator must be able to meet perform the following essential job functions:

    • Assemble and test bellows using bill of material, schematics, specifications, parts pick list, and other applicable documentation
    • Read and follow production and engineering drawings
    • Reads and follows available production documents
    • Able to read documents on a computer monitor
    • Uses a microscope for all weld assemblies and miniaturize hand tools
    • Complete paperwork and quality documentation by typing required information digitally
    • Complete inline inspection and peer review parts and assemblies to ensure parts meet quality specifications and standards
    • Perform both repetitive and non-repetitive sequences of welding operations resulting in sub-assemblies or complete bellows using various documentation
    • Document and record information including but not limited to output, throughput, quality, and interruptions or other problems as encountered
    • Uses hand and power tools, pneumatic wrenches, grinders, and other equipment as needed to complete tasks
    • Uses precision measuring devices
    • Following the company safety policy at all times
    • Performs other duties and/or specific projects as assigned
    • Maintain a safe, clean, and organized work area
    • Must be able to communicate and work well with other employees.
    • Must comply with the rules and regulations mandated under the following quality and governmental standards: ISO 9000, AS 9100, ITAR and ISO 14001 .
    • Being at work every day and coming to work on-time is required.


    QUALIFICATIONS

    To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

    EDUCATION, CERTIFICATES and / or EXPERIENCE

    • Flexial policy requires a minimum of a high school diploma or GED
    • Two years of constant work history (Preferably at least one year history at one location)
    • Proficiency using microscopes and taking measurements is a plus

    LANGUAGE SKILLS

    • Ability to read, analyze and interpret technical specifications, common business documents, and industry publications. Ability to respond effectively to inquiries from manufacturing personnel. Ability to effectively present information to management, vendors and employees.

    MATHEMATICAL SKILLS

    • Ability to apply concepts such as fractions, percentages, ratios and proportional to practical situations.

    REASONING ABILITY

    • . pl..respond effectively to eed above.Ability to work with principles of logical or scientific thinking to a wide range of intellectual and practical problems. Ability to deal with nonverbal symbolism (formulas, scientific equations, graphs, etc.).

    PHYSICAL DEMANDS

    • While performing the duties of this job the employee is frequently required to walk; sit, talk and hear, stand, use hands; reach with hands and arms and climb or balance. Physical requirements are the ability to lift up to 25 pounds continuously, 50 pounds occasionally, or up to 100 pounds, with assistance. Vision requirements include ability to adjust focus, depth perception, peripheral, distance, color and close vision.

    COMPUTER SKILLS

    • Must possess basic personal computer skills including a working knowledge of Microsoft Office Products, to include Word, Excel, Power Point and Microsoft Outlook.
  5. Post your job

    There are a few common ways to find welder 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 operator job on Zippia to find and recruit welder operator candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Recruiting welder operators requires you to bring your A-game to the interview process. The first interview should introduce the company and the role to the candidate as much as they present their background experience and reasons for applying for the job. During later interviews, you can go into more detail about the technical details of the job and ask behavioral questions to gauge how they'd fit into your current company culture.

    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 operator

    Once you have selected a candidate for the welder operator 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 equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

    To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is 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 operator?

There are different types of costs for hiring welder operators. One-time cost per hire for the recruitment process. Ongoing costs include employee salary, training, onboarding, benefits, insurance, and equipment. It is essential to consider all of these costs when evaluating hiring a new welder operator employee.

You can expect to pay around $31,669 per year for a welder operator, 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 operators in the US typically range between $12 and $18 an hour.

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