Welder job description template

What a welder does

Welders join and cut metal for everything from structural steel to pipelines and precision parts. Skilled welders know exactly which processes and positions they're good at, so your description should name them: MIG, TIG, stick, or flux core, and flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead. Say whether you'll test candidates and to which code, such as AWS D1.1. That one detail tells a welder whether the job matches their skill.

Welder job description template

Copy the description, replace everything in [brackets], and cut any line that isn't true for your job. The duties and requirements are a starting point written by HR practitioners, not a legal standard, so edit them to match the real work.

Welder

Details
- Department: [Department]
- Reports to: [Manager title]
- Location: [City, State, or remote]
- Employment type: [Full-time, part-time, or seasonal]
- FLSA status: Nonexempt
- Pay range: [$X to $Y per hour]

About [Company]
[Two or three sentences about what your company does, who it serves, and why people like working here.]

Job summary
We're hiring a welder to produce strong, clean welds on [product or project] using [processes] to our quality standards and code requirements.

What you'll do
- Read blueprints and welding symbols to plan work.
- Set up and operate welding equipment for [MIG, TIG, stick, or flux core] processes.
- Weld parts in [flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead] positions.
- Cut, grind, and fit metal parts before welding.
- Inspect welds for quality and fix defects.
- Maintain welding equipment and the work area.
- Follow safety rules for fumes, sparks, and hot work.
- Complete production and quality records.

What you'll need
- [Two] or more years of welding experience in [process].
- Ability to pass a weld test to [AWS D1.1 or other code].
- Ability to read blueprints and use measuring tools.
- Ability to lift up to 50 pounds and work in hot conditions.

Nice to have
- AWS Certified Welder credential.
- Fabrication or fitting experience.
- Pipe welding experience.

Skills
Welding technique, Blueprint reading, Metal fitting, Quality inspection, Safety, Precision.

Physical demands and work environment
Fabrication shop or field site. Exposure to heat, noise, bright light, and fumes, with protective equipment provided. Requires standing, kneeling, and working in awkward positions.

Pay and benefits
[$X to $Y per hour], based on experience and location. [List benefits, such as health insurance, retirement plan match, paid time off, and training.]

Equal opportunity
[Company] is an equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, or any other status protected by law. If you need a reasonable accommodation to apply or interview, contact [name] at [email or phone].

How to customize it for your job

• Name the processes and positions.
• Say what weld test you give and to which code.
• List shift, pay, and overtime.
• Mention the protective equipment you provide.

Then check it against the HRTally job description standard, our 10-point checklist, and run it through the inclusive language swap list. Both take about five minutes.

How much to pay a welder

Half of US welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earned more than $25.84 an hour in May 2025, and half earned less, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. That national figure is a starting point, not a pay range. Pay for the same job can differ by 30 percent or more between metro areas, so check the BLS occupation profile for state and metro data before you set your range.

For hourly roles, the legal floor matters as much as the market rate. Check the current rate where the job is based in our minimum wage by state table, and the state's overtime and break rules in our state labor law library.

To convert between hourly and annual pay, use our salary to hourly calculator. If you hire in a state or city with a pay transparency law, the range must appear in the posting itself. Our pay transparency laws guide lists where, and our guide to salary bands explains how to set ranges you can defend.

Exempt status, licenses, and legal notes

FLSA status: Nonexempt (overtime eligible). Job titles don't decide overtime eligibility. Duties and pay do. Our guide to exempt vs non-exempt employees walks through each test, and the overtime calculator shows what a nonexempt employee is owed.

OSHA's welding, cutting, and brazing standards (29 CFR 1910 Subpart Q) cover fire prevention, ventilation, and eye protection, and exposure limits apply to fumes such as hexavalent chromium when welding stainless steel. Respirators require a written respiratory protection program, medical evaluation, and fit testing. Welders under 18 face limits on some hazardous work under federal child labor rules.

This is general information for US employers, not legal advice. Laws change and vary by state and city, so confirm the current rules or talk to employment counsel before you rely on them.

Interview questions to ask

Ask every candidate the same core questions and score answers against the same criteria. Structured interviews are fairer and predict job performance better than open conversation.

1. Which welding processes are you strongest in?
2. How do you prevent porosity in a weld?
3. Walk me through setting up for a vertical weld.
4. What do you do when a print doesn't make sense?

When you're ready to schedule, use our interview invitation email template. For a full hiring process, read the recruitment process guide.

Frequently asked questions