What does a welder operator do?
Welder operator responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real welder operator resumes:
- 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.
- Perform first piece and in-process inspection by checking parts per blueprint using calipers and tape measure.
- Weld out of position inside and outside of barges according to supervisors instructions with FCAW, SMAW.
- Weld small diameter pipes and tubing, thin gauge sheet metal using GTAW and SMAW processes; assemble pharmaceutical equipment
- Weld and tack weld metal parts together, using spot welding gun or hand electric, or gas welding equipment.
- Load suspension components into robotic welding jigs.
- Pipe welding [tig].
- Program and operate Fanuc welding robot.
- Repair of weld defects using a TIG welder
- Experience with plasma cutters and cutting torches.
Welder operator skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Welder Operators are proficient in MIG, Arc Welding, and Hand Tools. They’re also known for soft skills such as Computer skills, Dexterity, and Mechanical skills.
We break down the percentage of Welder Operators that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- MIG, 12%
Weld and fabricate handrails and other misc metals to be sent offshore for installation *3/4-1 inch Flux Core, MIG
- Arc Welding, 9%
Used processes including gas welding, and submerged arc welding.
- Hand Tools, 8%
Load materials and products into machines, or onto conveyors, using hand tools and moving devices.
- Safety Equipment, 7%
Observe and obey all safety rules, regulations and practices and employ all safety equipment and devices.
- Tig Welding, 6%
Welded medical tools using TIG welding.
- GMAW, 5%
Weld SMAW And GMAW in all positions also various other processes such as Pulse Arc and Stainless.
Common skills that a welder operator uses to do their job include "mig," "arc welding," and "hand tools." You can find details on the most important welder operator responsibilities below.
Physical strength. welder operator responsibilities often require "physical strength." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must be able to lift heavy pieces of metal and move welding or cutting equipment." This resume example shows what welder operators do with physical strength on a typical day: "set up sheer strengths testing resistance / spot welding to military specifications on numerous aerospace projects. "
Detail oriented. A commonly-found skill in welder operator job descriptions, "detail oriented" is essential to what welder operators do. Welder operator responsibilities rely on this skill because "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers perform precision work, often with straight edges." You can also see how welder operator duties rely on detail oriented in this resume example: "perform quality inspections and ensure efficiency of details. "
Manual dexterity. While "manual dexterity" is last on this skills list, don't underestimate its importance to welder operator responsibilities. Much of what a welder operator does relies on this skill, seeing as "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must have a steady hand to hold a torch in place." Here is a resume example of how this skill is used in the everyday duties of welder operators: "performed in-process operator visual inspections of welded sub-assemblies and process control checks on robotic and manual weld fixtures. "
The three companies that hire the most welder operators are:
- Austal6 welder operators jobs
- RailWorks4 welder operators jobs
- Brunswick2 welder operators jobs
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Compare different welder operators
Welder operator vs. Structural welder
The 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. Their duties and responsibilities include testing welding and safety equipment, cutting, assembling, repairing building components such as girders and beams, and checking for gap and angle allowances. They either use manual or automated equipment to perform some of these tasks, such as power saws for cutting metals. Structural welders are also responsible for assessing the condition of the equipment.
There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, welder operator responsibilities require skills like "quality checks," "general maintenance," "spot welding," and "tack." Meanwhile a typical structural welder has skills in areas such as "osha," "ladders," "flux core wire," and "gtaw." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.
Structural welders tend to make the most money working in the construction industry, where they earn an average salary of $50,882. In contrast, welder operators make the biggest average salary, $37,042, in the automotive industry.On average, structural welders reach similar levels of education than welder operators. Structural welders are 0.7% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Welder operator vs. Combo welder
A 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. The extent of their responsibilities depends on their company of employment or project needs. Some projects may also require them to climb up high places, so it is essential to adhere to safety standards and regulations.
Each career also uses different skills, according to real welder operator resumes. While welder operator responsibilities can utilize skills like "quality checks," "safety procedures," "general maintenance," and "spot welding," combo welders use skills like "engineering drawings," "minor maintenance," "lay-out," and "gtaw."
Combo welders earn a higher average salary than welder operators. But combo welders earn the highest pay in the construction industry, with an average salary of $55,509. Additionally, welder operators earn the highest salaries in the automotive with average pay of $37,042 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Combo welders tend to reach higher levels of education than welder operators. In fact, they're 6.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.4% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Welder operator vs. Pipe welder
According to schematics and analyzing specifications, a pipe welder is responsible for maintaining and repairing pipe systems and components. Pipe welders inspect the quality of the materials, assemble tools for welding preparations, ensure the safety of the welding method and structural units, and strictly adhere to safety operations procedures. They also examine finished welds to identify any defects and perform adjustments as needed. A pipe welder must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to operate machinery and construct a safe piping system.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from welder operator resumes include skills like "quality checks," "safety rules," "safety procedures," and "general maintenance," whereas a pipe welder is more likely to list skills in "gtaw," "flux core," "install pipe," and "stainless steel pipe. "
Pipe welders earn the best pay in the construction industry, where they command an average salary of $56,027. Welder operators earn the highest pay from the automotive industry, with an average salary of $37,042.pipe welders typically earn similar educational levels compared to welder operators. Specifically, they're 3.3% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Welder operator vs. Lead welder
A Lead Welder inspects welds to ensure that code and quality control standards are met. They also test and inspect welded surfaces and structures to discover flaws.
Types of welder operator
Updated January 8, 2025
