Local Welding Jobs – How to Get Hired Fast

Introduction

Welding is an in-demand trade that offers plenty of job opportunities, especially locally. With major infrastructure projects, growing manufacturing, and other industries requiring skilled tradespeople, welders are needed across the country. This guide will focus specifically on finding open welding jobs near you and how to pursue local welding career opportunities.

Even as technology advances, welding remains a stable career path because these jobs cannot easily be automated or outsourced. Welders construct and repair structures and components that require a human touch. With new buildings, bridges, pipelines, and other projects happening in your area, qualified welders are absolutely necessary to bring plans to life.

The work of welders also keeps factories running, automobiles driving, and equipment functioning. Any industry that uses steel components needs welding expertise nearby. Rather than importing products from afar, many American companies are reshoring manufacturing. This trend also contributes to strong demand for experienced welding professionals who live and work locally.

Types of Welding Jobs

There are several main types of welding that correspond to different types of welding jobs. Some of the most common are:

• MIG welding – Also known as gas metal arc welding (GMAW), MIG welding uses a continuous wire electrode fed through a welding gun. The wire electrode and the weld pool are shielded by an inert gas such as argon or carbon dioxide. MIG welders need to be able to set up and operate MIG welding equipment, monitor the welding process, and adjust parameters as needed. Day-to-day work involves things like preparing and cleaning metal surfaces,

• TIG welding – TIG stands for tungsten inert gas welding. It uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with an inert gas for shielding. TIG welding allows for high quality, precise welds and is especially suitable for welding thinner sections of stainless steel and non-ferrous metals like aluminum. TIG welders must have expertise in operating TIG equipment and manipulating the welding torch and tungsten electrode.

• Stick welding – Stick welding (SMAW or shielded metal arc welding) uses a flux-coated consumable welding rod (stick electrode). It’s one of the most versatile and portable welding methods. Stick welders hold the electrode holder in one hand and the rod in the other, creating an electric arc between the rod tip and the metal. Good coordination is needed. Stick welding is used for many repair jobs and in the field.

The responsibilities of welders vary across these methods but include preparing metals, determining proper settings, executing welds, testing welds, and repairing any defects. With experience, welders can become specialized in certain processes and take on more complex, technical projects.

Welding Job Requirements

Welding is a highly skilled trade that requires proper training and certification. Here are some of the main requirements for welding jobs:

Education and Certifications

Most welding jobs require a high school diploma or equivalent. However, employers often prefer candidates who have completed a formal welding training program, either through a vocational school, technical college, or apprenticeship. These programs provide necessary hands-on training in various welding techniques and lead to certifications.

The most common certifications for welders are from the American Welding Society (AWS). Some popular AWS certifications include Certified Welder, Certified Welding Inspector, Certified Welding Educator, and Certified Robotic Arc Welder. Certifications demonstrate proficiency in specific welding processes and improve job prospects.

Physical Demands

Welding involves being on your feet for long periods and working in awkward positions. Welders need good hand-eye coordination and steadiness to make precise welds. They must have good vision, specifically visual acuity and color vision, to judge welding quality.

The work frequently requires lifting, bending, kneeling and crouching. Welders often work outdoors and are exposed to loud noises and hot, humid conditions. They must be able to withstand working around hot equipment and molten metals. Sturdy footwear, protective eyewear, gloves and other safety gear are mandatory.

Overall, welding is physically demanding work. The ability to handle labor-intensive tasks and potential hazards is crucial for success as a welder. Proper training emphasizes safe working techniques to avoid injury. With the right preparations, welders can safely manage the rigors of the job.

Top Industries for Welders

Welding is a versatile, in-demand skill utilized across many industries. Some of the top sectors currently hiring welders include:

Manufacturing

Manufacturing accounts for the largest share of welding jobs. Welders are critical in the production and fabrication of industrial machinery, tools, equipment, metal parts and more. The manufacturing sector is projected to add over 250,000 jobs for welders by 2026. As advanced manufacturing technologies emerge, employers will continue seeking skilled welders able to work with computer-controlled equipment.

Construction

Welders build and repair infrastructure like buildings, bridges, pipelines, offshore oil rigs, storage tanks and dams. Strong demand for new infrastructure and rebuilding aging infrastructure will drive welding job growth. The construction sector is expected to create over 150,000 welding positions by 2026.

Shipbuilding

Shipbuilders employ welders to cut, fabricate and fuse together metal components of ships, barges, cruise liners and other marine vessels. Growth in seaborne trade has increased demand for new ships and repairs. The shipbuilding industry will need around 20,000 more welders in the coming years.

Automotive

Automakers use welding at every stage of vehicle production. Welders assemble frames, engines, transmissions and other key components. Auto body and collision repair shops also employ welders to mend damaged vehicles. Rising auto sales will open up many welding jobs in this industry.

Aerospace

Aerospace companies utilize welders to build aircraft, satellites, rockets and missiles. As aerospace technology advances, welders will be needed to work with exotic metals and composites. Boeing and SpaceX have major operations planned that will require thousands of skilled welding professionals.

With infrastructure investment, continued manufacturing growth and technological advances across industries, welders with specialized training will find abundant job opportunities.

Welding Job Outlook and Salary

The job outlook for welders is very promising. According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), employment of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is projected to grow 3 percent from 2021 to 2031, about as fast as the average for all occupations. The welding field is expected to have about 14,900 job openings per year over that period, stemming from growth and the need to replace workers who transfer to different occupations or exit the labor force.

Several factors are contributing to the continued need for skilled welders:

• Infrastructure projects will require welders to help build and maintain bridges, highways, pipelines, and other structures.

• Manufacturing activity, particularly in the transportation equipment and heavy machinery industries, will demand welders to assemble products.

• The ongoing development and production of new products in aerospace, medicine, power generation, and advanced manufacturing will require precision welding and joining techniques.

• The construction of new buildings, installations, and systems will spur demand for welders in emerging industries like renewable energy and green construction.

• The oil and natural gas industries will continue relying on welders for pipelines, storage tanks, and related infrastructure.

• Some experienced welders will retire in the coming years, creating job openings that need to be filled.

Compared to other occupations,

• Welding offers a higher than average salary – typically above $45,000 per year for experienced welders:

• The national median wage for welders was $46,990 per year as of May 2021, according to the BLS. The lowest 10% earned less than $33,350, while the highest 10% earned more than $68,030 per year.

• The average starting salary for an entry-level welder is approximately $35,000 per year, which increases with experience and specialization. More advanced welders can earn $50,000 to $80,000 or higher per year.

• Welders who work overtime, night shifts, and offshore jobs also tend to earn higher wages. Those who pass certification tests to prove their skills can increase their income potential.

• Some owner-operators running their own welding shops or contracting businesses have six-figure earning potential.

Overall, welding provides stable job prospects and good wages compared to many other careers requiring only a high school diploma or equivalent training. With strong technical skills and hands-on experience, welders can enjoy excellent employment opportunities, job satisfaction, and financial security.

Finding Local Welding Jobs

When looking for welding jobs in your area, there are several good resources to use in your job search:

• Online job boards – Sites like Indeed, LinkedIn, and ZipRecruiter allow you to search for welding jobs by location and filter by factors like job type, experience level, and more. You can set up alerts to receive notifications when new jobs matching your search criteria are posted.

• Union job boards – Many welding trade unions like the Boilermakers Union and Ironworkers Union operate job boards specifically for their members. Check union websites in your state or region.

• Technical colleges – Community colleges and vocational schools with welding programs often provide job placement assistance for graduates. Meet with the career counseling office to learn about local welding job openings.

• Recruiters/staffing agencies – Specialized industrial and manufacturing recruiters can be a good source of contract, temp-to-hire, and direct hire welding positions. Staffing agencies frequently work with local employers to fill welding jobs.

• Job fairs – Attending local career fairs is a chance to meet and network with employers who are hiring for welding jobs in your area. Some fairs focus specifically on manufacturing, construction and skilled trades.

• Company websites – Check the careers page on the websites of major local employers like fabrication shops, construction firms, shipyards, and other companies needing welders. Sign up for job alerts if offered.

• Networking – Talk to instructors, classmates and former colleagues involved in welding work locally, who can provide leads on job opportunities.

Taking advantage of multiple resources expands your chances of connecting with the best local welding jobs for your background and interests. Persistently checking for new postings and following up with applications is key.

Preparing Your Welding Resume

When applying for welding jobs, your resume is your first chance to make a good impression on employers. Follow these tips to ensure your resume highlights your certifications, experience, skills, and projects:

• List any welding certifications at the top. Include the full name of the certification, the certifying organization, and the date earned. Common certifications like AWS and ASME are highly valued by employers.

• Detail your hands-on welding experience. For each job, include the type of welding tasks performed, materials welded, equipment used, industry experience gained, etc. Quantify your experience in years, months or hours.

• Showcase specific welding skills. Include any specialties like TIG, MIG, stick, flux-cored, and oxy-fuel welding. List skills in blueprint reading, welding symbols, inspection, mechanical aptitude, shop math, fabrication, and computer skills.

• Highlight relevant projects. Describe any school, volunteer or freelance welding projects. Include details like materials, welding processes, specifications, and photos. Show off your unique abilities.

• Optimize for applicant tracking systems. Use keywords from the job posting throughout your resume. Simple formatting helps parsers correctly extract your information.

• Check for errors. Proofread carefully for grammar, spelling, and formatting errors. Ask others to review your resume as well. Print several copies on high-quality resume paper.

With a well-crafted resume tailored to each welding job, you can stand out and secure interviews. Emphasize how your specialized skills and experience make you the ideal candidate for the role.

Welding Job Interview Tips

Preparing for a welding job interview and skills test requires knowing what to expect. Here are some tips:

• Research the company and job role. Understand the specific welding processes and skills needed for the role. Study the company’s products and services.

• Practice your welding skills. Brush up on the main processes like MIG, TIG, stick, oxyacetylene, etc. Work on mastering the welds you may need to demonstrate.

• Prepare for common interview questions. Be ready to answer questions about your welding experience, certifications, safety knowledge, ability to follow instructions, and work under pressure.

• Bring certifications, licenses, resumes. Have copies of your welding certificates, high school diploma/GED, driver’s license, resumes, and reference letters.

• Dress professionally with safety gear. Wear clean work clothes, leather boots, welding gloves, and safety glasses. Avoid wearing jewelry.

• Do sample welds. Expect a hands-on welding test on scrap metal. Stay calm, focus, double-check settings, and demonstrate your best techniques.

• Highlight safety knowledge. Emphasize understanding of welding hazards like electric shock, fumes, fire, and protocols like grounding, ventilation, PPE.

• Ask insightful questions. Inquire about growth opportunities, workplace culture, expected projects, and how they measure success.

Proper preparation will help you ace the interview, skills test, and land the welding job. Stay confident in your abilities.

Welding Job Safety

Welding can be a dangerous job if proper safety precautions are not followed. Some of the common safety hazards welders face include:

• Fumes – Welding produces smoke containing dangerous fumes like manganese, chromium, nickel, nitrogen oxides and ozone which can cause metal fume fever and other chronic lung diseases. Proper ventilation, wearing an air-supplied respirator and having fume extractors near the welding area are important.

• Heavy equipment – Welders often use heavy welding machines, compressed gas cylinders and hot materials which pose risks of burns, crushed body parts and explosions. Being alert, following equipment safety procedures and wearing sturdy boots can help mitigate these risks.

• Fire and explosion risk – Sparks fly while welding which can lead to fires. Also, flammable gases and materials present explosion risks. Keeping a fire extinguisher nearby, having a fire watch, and welding away from flammable substances is crucial.

• Eye damage – The extremely bright ultraviolet and infrared rays emitted while welding can burn retinas and corneas if not protected. Welders must always use a welding helmet with the appropriate UV/IR protective filter lens.

• Electrical shock – Welding equipment is powered by electricity and improperly grounded wires can lead to electrocution. Inspecting cables regularly and keeping welding machines dry prevents shocks.

• Noise hazard – The loud hissing and buzzing of welding machines can cause hearing loss over time. Using ear plugs is important to protect eardrums.

To stay safe, welders should always wear personal protective equipment (PPE) such as fire-resistant clothes, welding gloves, steel-toe boots, helmets and safety glasses. Following safety protocols laid out by OSHA and the employer, being aware of hazards and hazards prevention is key to staying injury-free on the job. Proper training and vigilance makes welding a safer profession.

Conclusion

Landing a local welding job can provide a rewarding and lucrative career path for those with the proper training, skills, and experience. When searching for welding jobs in your area, make sure to highlight your qualifications and skills on your resume, prepare for any required certifications or training, and practice interviewing.

With an aging workforce, welding is a career with plenty of opportunities for the future. Focus your job search on industries like construction, manufacturing, oil and gas, shipyards, and automobile/aerospace companies. Check job boards, union halls, and company career sites, but also leverage your personal and professional connections. With the right preparation and persistence, you can find an excellent local welding job that matches your interests and salary requirements.

To recap, follow these tips when looking for welding jobs near you:

• Get trained and certified in the latest welding methods like TIG, MIG, and flux-cored arc welding. Consider earning an associate’s degree as well.

• Build up 2-4 years of hands-on welding experience through apprenticeships, internships, or lab tech roles.

• Highlight your welding certifications, technical skills, and experience clearly on your resume.

• Prepare for welding job interviews by researching the company and practicing responses.

• Apply to jobs in construction, manufacturing, fabrication, shipbuilding, oil/gas, and transportation industries.

• Check listings on job boards, company sites, unions, and the local workforce/employment office.

• Leverage your personal connections and networking to find local opportunities.

• Focus your search on growing regions and cities with major construction and manufacturing hubs.

With hard work and persistence, you can land a stable, rewarding welding job in your local area.