what is a welder?
A welder is someone whose primary job is to use high heat to fuse materials such as metals or thermoplastics to create strong, durable bonds. As a welder, you'll know the best techniques to use on different materials and how to quickly and efficiently produce secure structures.
You'll also have familiarity with the practices and equipment needed to make working with high temperatures safe for you and others. Using your mastery of welding techniques, you'll work with engineers and other professionals to create finished products.
Welding combines the mental satisfaction of adhering to exacting technical standards with the physical rewards of precise handcrafting. If this sounds like something you'd enjoy, a job as a welder could provide your perfect career path.
welders in different industries
Any industry that requires durable metal joints needs welders. If you want to work in a busy indoor environment, consider manufacturing industries. Welders in these roles work on everything from tools and containers to cars, ships and aircraft.
If you prefer changing job sites and working outdoors, a job welding in the construction industry might suit you better. Construction welders help to create the steel skeletons of modern buildings. Welding skills are in demand in some industries that might surprise you, such as the manufacturing of computer parts.
Would becoming a welder suit your enjoyment of precision work? Then read on to find out what competencies and qualifications you need to thrive in a welder role.
welder jobs near youaverage welder salary
Would you like to know what a welder earns? Where the highest salaries are paid for a welder? Then check out this welder salary page and find out all about the salary of a welder in the USA.
Wondering what you can earn as a welder? Find out immediately with the Randstad salary checker! You can quickly and easily see what the average salary of a welder is.
types of welder
Welders specialize in different categories based on the techniques they commonly use. For example:
- TIG welders: welders who have mastered tungsten inert gas (TIG) welding use this slower, more complex process to carry out specialized jobs.
- MIG welders: those who employ the simpler but faster metal inert gas (MIG) process often work on a variety of different tasks involving thicker metal panels.
- other welding specialties include pipe welding, which uses processes including TIG welding but has its own specific requirements.
The number of different specialties makes a welding job a great starting point for finding the career that fits you.
working as a welder
A welder's job description typically involves the fusing of metals and other materials under high temperatures. But it's a varied field that encompasses a wide range of techniques that can lead to opportunities to work in several different environments. Read on to find out more about the day-to-day realities of working as a welder.
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welder job description
What does a welder do? The job doesn't begin when you turn on your welding equipment or end when you put it down. To work as an effective welder, it's important to master the process from start to finish.
- your work begins with the engineering instructions for the job; after understanding those, you proceed to the materials.
- after evaluating and preparing the sections and calibrating your equipment, you undertake the actual welding.
- once the weld is complete, inspection and testing ensure that they completed the job to the required standard and that the resulting joint will work safely.
Command of this entire process is the hallmark of a good welder and gives you the satisfaction of a job well done.
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welder work environment
A career as a welder offers a range of different working environments. Some have a regular workplace in a workshop or factory. However, a welder in construction or demolition will operate at several busy job sites.
Due to the nature of the job, the environment is often hot, crowded and noisy. You may also work in an enclosed underground space or at a high elevation. The greater ability you have to work quickly and safely in these environments, the more success you are likely to enjoy.
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who are your colleagues?
Different welding projects will involve different types of colleagues. If you work on an all-encompassing construction project, you can typically expect to work alongside colleagues like these:
- laborers
- electricians
- site engineers
- carpenters
- plumbers
- maintenance supervisors
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work schedule
When something breaks that requires a welder's skill to fix, it doesn't matter what time of day it is. Similarly, in construction, late deadlines mean overrunning costs, which employers will always desperately avoid. Both of these factors can mean more work for you as a welder.
Whether in busy manufacturing environments or on construction sites, welders often work long hours that can include evenings and weekends. While a welding career can have a demanding schedule, the different shifts and hours available mean you can find the timetable that's right for you.
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job outlook for welder
Continuing professional development is the key to advancing your career as a welder. Building familiarity with new techniques and equipment means expanding the opportunities available to you. Plus, experience as a welder is a good entry point for many related careers.
- if you want to move out of welding and into other roles, you could consider management. As a supervisor or workshop manager, you'll oversee the work of other welders as well as the processes that support them.
- another option is to move from welding into testing or quality control, inspecting the output of welding processes on a larger scale.
- if you want the satisfaction of passing on your skills to a new generation, consider teaching in a professional or further education environment.
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benefits of working for randstad as a welder
Working through Randstad offers you a range of benefits:
- being paid weekly
- flexibility
- always a contact person you can fall back on and ask for help from
- many training opportunities
- a range of jobs in your area
Want a permanent contract? But you wonder why it would be interesting for you to work with a staffing company? A temporary job as a welder is often a stepping stone to an attractive permanent job. Every year, thousands of people earn a permanent contract with great employers thanks to a temporary job found through Randstad. What's more, many companies recruit their permanent employees through Randstad, too!
welder skills and education
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, typical entry-level education for welders is a high school diploma or GED. Many high schools offer vocational programs that allow you to get a head start on training. Afterward, you can attend a vocational college to learn welding skills, including metalworking and blueprint reading.
You can also join an apprenticeship program to get on-the-job training while studying under a welding expert. Some employers sponsor apprenticeships for new welders. Likewise, your school or welding union might be able to direct you to apprenticeship opportunities. If you can't find anything in person, try searching for jobs online.
You'll take classes to become a certified welder before officially entering the field. Once you've completed basic training, you can earn specialized certifications for more job opportunities. Welders can become Certified Welding Supervisors, Certified Radiographic Interpreters, Certified Welding Engineers and more. Some employers require certifications in specific fields, such as robotics.
Continuing your education throughout your career helps you find new jobs and maintain the strictest safety standards. Consider joining an organization, such as The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), that provides online and in-person courses and other development opportunities.
skills and competencies
Welders need physical strength to work for long periods of time, sometimes in uncomfortable positions. Attention to detail is an essential trait because you'll work crafting metal for buildings, vehicles, ships, pipes and other important structures. Similarly, you'll need good hand-eye coordination to track what you're doing at all times.
These hard skills will help you succeed:
- utilizing metalworking techniques, such as arc welding and using plasma arcs
- working with different types of metal, including aluminum, stainless steel and carbon steel
- using tape measures, rulers, blueprints and other basic tools
- understanding math and performing calculations
Since welding can be dangerous if you're not careful, the job requires a commitment to working safely and using the correct gear. You'll follow standard procedures for labor jobs, such as carefully lifting heavy loads and exercising ladder safety. It's also important to know your resources for emergency situations.
Finally, welders usually work in teams, so you'll need strong communication skills. You'll learn about leadership if you want to function as the head of a team. You may also find yourself in high-pressure situations that require you to work quickly but accurately. Employers desire reliable employees who complete projects on time.
FAQs about working as a welder
Here you will find answers to the most frequently asked questions about welders.
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is welding safe?
Yes, welding is safe when you wear the appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE), including helmets and flame-resistant clothing. The Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) requires employers to provide safe working environments. If you see a safety violation, you can report it to OSHA.
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is welding challenging?
Welding can present challenges, but vocational programs provide extensive training so that you can master your skills before you enter the workforce. Apprenticeships allow you to train with an expert. Once you've started working full time, welding becomes a routine activity.
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do welders have to bring their own equipment?
Most employers supply welding equipment on the job site. If you prefer to use your own, you can rent or buy equipment. Make sure that your PPE is up to the most recent safety standards.
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how many certifications do welders need?
Many employers require a certification from a Certified Welder (CW) program. Your state might require additional licenses. Once you're certified, you can earn additional certifications from specialized programs.
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what are the four main types of welding?
The New England Institute of Technology lists four types of welding:
- gas metal arc welding (GMAW/MIG)
- gas tungsten arc welding (GTAW/TIG)
- shielded metal arc welding (SMAW)
- flux cored arc welding (FCAW)
Each process involves different tools and techniques specific to the job. GMAW is the most popular form of construction welding.
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how do I find a job as a welder?
Applying for an welder job is easy: create a Randstad profile and search our welder jobs for vacancies in your area. Then simply send us your CV. If you do not have a resume, no worries. Just check out our resume builder. This state-of-the-art tool will help you to create your own resume. Need help with your application? Check out all our job-hunting tips!
