How to hire a welding supervisor

How to hire a welding supervisor, step by step

Here's a step-by-step welding supervisor hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a welding supervisor job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new welding supervisor
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the welding supervisor you need to hire. Certain welding supervisor 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?

   Yes

   No

   A welding supervisor's background is also an important factor in determining whether they'll be a good fit for the position. For example, welding supervisors 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.

   Here's a comparison of welding supervisor salaries for various roles:

   Type of Welding Supervisor	Description	Hourly rate
   Welding Supervisor		$19-35
   Quality Assurance Supervisor	A quality assurance supervisor oversees and leads the quality control operations within a manufacturing plant or similar establishment. They are primarily responsible for crafting and implementing policies that prioritize the efficiency of products or services, supervising and evaluating the performances of the workforce, and setting standards and procedures that align not just with the goals of the company, but the national and international level of production standards... Show more	$22-45
   Shift Production Supervisor	A shift production supervisor is in charge of overseeing business operations, ensuring efficiency and smooth workflow. Their responsibilities revolve around devising strategies to reach production standards and production targets, supervising and assessing staff performance, delegating tasks, managing schedules, and prioritizing customer satisfaction... Show more	$10-25

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • GMAW
   • Blueprint Specifications
   • Aluminum
   • AWS
   • Arc Welding
   • GTAW
   • Stainless Steel
   • FCAW
   • Production Schedules
   • SMAW
   • Plasma Arc
   • Carbon Steel
   • CNC
   • Safety Procedures

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage what parts are run with each other and when they are run.
   • Manage payroll, order all safety equipment, PPE, and spare parts require to keep production rates up.
   • Manage weld process controls of GMAW-P, CV both robotic and semi-automatic; to include GTAW both robotic and semi-automatic.
   • Manage warranty repair/restoration of company valves involving strict API and ISO requirements/procedures.
   • Certify MIG & TIG welding on steel, stainless steel and aluminum.
   • Work solo and over crews SMAW, GTAW & FCAW procedures perform

   More welding supervisor duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the welding supervisor job description is a good way to get more applicants. A welding supervisor salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a welding supervisor in North Carolina may be lower than in Wyoming, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level welding supervisor. Additionally, a welding supervisor with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average welding supervisor salary

   $55,605yearly

   $26.73 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level welding supervisor salary

   $41,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 15, 2025

   Average welding supervisor salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	California	$65,985	$32
   2	New Jersey	$58,248	$28
   3	Iowa	$53,304	$26
   4	Arizona	$53,190	$26
   5	Georgia	$52,483	$25
   6	Ohio	$52,018	$25
   7	Illinois	$51,932	$25
   8	Alabama	$51,307	$25
   9	Pennsylvania	$50,878	$24
   10	Virginia	$45,847	$22
   11	Wisconsin	$45,290	$22

   Average welding supervisor salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	BWX Technologies	$79,185	$38.07	28
   2	RemX	$60,249	$28.97
   3	Nuclear Fuel Services	$58,393	$28.07
   4	Management Recruiters International(MRI)	$57,597	$27.69	4
   5	ManpowerGroup	$57,398	$27.60	48
   6	Advanced Resources	$57,052	$27.43
   7	Emerson	$55,670	$26.76	18
   8	Aerotek	$55,555	$26.71	67
   9	Vigor Industrial	$55,080	$26.48
   10	The Advance Group	$54,922	$26.40
   11	Cargotec Holding Inc	$54,901	$26.39
   12	Randstad North America, Inc.	$54,862	$26.38
   13	Indian Health Service	$54,855	$26.37
   14	CSS	$54,823	$26.36
   15	SK Holding Company, Inc.	$54,808	$26.35	4
   16	Baxter International	$54,459	$26.18	7
   17	Quality Steel	$54,245	$26.08
   18	Basin	$50,588	$24.32
   19	Stanley Black & Decker	$49,467	$23.78	11
   20	Texas Department of Transportation	$47,024	$22.61	10

4. Writing a welding supervisor job description

   A job description for a welding supervisor role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a welding supervisor job description:

   Welding supervisor job description example

   Vigor Values
   
   Vigor expects all employees to enhance the atmosphere in which they work by living the Vigor Values every day.
   
   Truth: We seek the truth, and we speak the truth
   
   Responsibility: We act on what we know is right
   
   Evolution: We seek mastery, and adapt to a changing world
   
   Love: We care about the people we work with, and the world we live in
   
   POSITION SUMMARY: As a Boilermaker and Fitter Supervisor, this position is responsible for supervising Boilermaker, Fitter and Shipfitter type work in the shipyard across multiple projects. In this capacity, the Boilermaker and Fitter Supervisor is responsible for coordinating all equipment and labor for the assigned craft. Craft oversight involves planning all aspects needed for the assigned craft including labor, materials, tools and equipment, change orders and job hazard analyses. Additionally the supervisor may have responsibility for overseeing the work of lower level supervisors in the same craft area. The incumbent must be self-disciplined, resourceful, and willing to accept responsibility for the assigned crafts.
   
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS AND MAJOR RESPONSIBILITIES: (this list is not intended to detail all aspects of the assigned work but is representative of the job's overall responsibilities)
   
   * Leads and communicates company safety culture and policies regardless of reporting structure (discipline, incident reports, investigations etc). Leads craft safety meetings. Holds employees accountable for demonstrating acceptable safety practices. Provides input to ways to instill attention to safety among all employees.
   * Works closely with the project managers or ship superintendents for elements in the projects in the supervisor's craft area; handles planning including specifying staffing needs and scheduling, tools, materials, equipment, and subcontracts.
   * Provides supervision to assigned employees which may also include lower level supervisors. Supervision includes assignment to tasks, assuring completion of tasks within deadlines, resolving conflicts, applying needed disciplinary action with designated management representative and reassigning employees across projects. Writes/receives verbal and written turnovers at shift changes. Applies good understanding of the Union contract.
   * Coordinates regulatory agency compliance for assigned crafts. Assures employees accomplish work in accordance with proper practices and within specifications.
   * Prepares condition found reports (CFR), change orders and job hazard analyses (JHA) for the assigned craft activities by hand or using computer software applications such as word processing, spreadsheets and email. Teaches and coaches others in how to prepare CFR, JHA and change orders.
   * Communicates changes in practices or policies; demonstrates and models behavior supportive of the direction the company is headed; provides meaningful and constructive suggestions for practice improvements; acts as and is a recognized leader among peers.
   * Trains, coaches and mentors other supervisors in staffing and scheduling and other upper level supervisory functions.
   * Assist estimating department as required for bidding work.
   * Performs related duties as assigned.
   
   EDUCATION AND/OR EXPERIENCE: Journey level experience as a Boilermaker or Fitter with a concentration of recent experience in a shipyard type environment. A minimum of three years experience as a Boilermaker Supervisor or Fitter Supervisor in an industrial environment. Must demonstrate an adept ability to effectively lead the work of others.
   
   KNOWLEDGES, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES:
   
   Knowledge of marine-related equipment, ship repair and construction techniques; sequencing of ship repair activities; shipyard safety practices; complex mathematical principles as applied to shipping activities.
   
   Ability to effectively present information and respond to questions from groups of managers and employees; act as a leader and be recognized as such by others, read, understand and apply ship repair specifications, blue prints, technical procedures, and regulations; identify problems with production and re-chart to correct; direct, coach and motivate the work of others; resolve conflicts; coordinate multiple details related to various projects simultaneously.
   
   Skill in directing and coordinating the work of others; operating a personal computer and various PC applications such as word processing and spreadsheets; interpreting an extensive variety of technical instructions in mathematical or diagram form; working with several abstract and concrete variables; effectively resolving conflict; using tools as required for accomplishing the work.
   
   CERTIFICATES, LICENSES, REGISTRATIONS: None required.
   
   PHYSICAL DEMANDS: The physical demands for this position involve the ability to maneuver in a shipyard as needed to oversee the accomplishment of work. Requires extensive walking and standing; some climbing, crouching, twisting and stooping. Working with the tools pertinent to the supervisor's craft involves manual dexterity and fine motor movement and the ability to lift and manipulate a variety of tools. May require some lifting or assistance with heavy equipment. Work is predominately performed outside or on board ships in all weather conditions.
   
   WORK ENVIRONMENT: The work environment for this job is demanding and potentially hazardous due to work on or inside ships as well as travel around ship repair yard.
   
   Must have the ability to perform the essential job duties with or without reasonable accommodation and without posing a direct threat to safety or health of employee or others

   Copy this example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right welding supervisor for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit welding supervisors, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   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 welding supervisor

   Once you have selected a candidate for the welding supervisor 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 also important to follow up with applicants who do not get the job with an email letting them know that the position is filled.

   To prepare for the new welding supervisor first day, you should share an onboarding schedule with them that covers their first period on the job. You should also quickly complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Finally, Human Resources must ensure a new employee file is created for internal record keeping.

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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