Occupation · SOC 51-4121
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Median wage
$51,000
$38,130–$75,850
Projected growth
+2.2%
Slower than average
Annual openings
990
per year
Employed (US)
424,040
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
985 mapped
Core skills
Quality Control AnalysisMonitoringJudgment and Decision MakingCritical ThinkingTime ManagementOperations MonitoringSpeakingOperation and ControlActive ListeningTroubleshootingReading ComprehensionComplex Problem SolvingCoordinationSystems AnalysisSocial PerceptivenessEquipment SelectionActive LearningSystems EvaluationService OrientationMathematicsLearning StrategiesInstructingRepairingPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Personnel ResourcesWritingOperations AnalysisScienceManagement of Material ResourcesManagement of Financial ResourcesEquipment MaintenanceTechnology DesignInstallationProgramming
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingMechanicalMathematicsEnglish LanguageDesignEngineering and TechnologyEducation and TrainingPublic Safety and SecurityCustomer and Personal ServiceAdministration and ManagementBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsChemistryPsychologyTransportationLaw and GovernmentCommunications and MediaSales and MarketingEconomics and AccountingForeign LanguageMedicine and DentistrySociology and AnthropologyTelecommunicationsPhilosophy and TheologyBiologyFood ProductionTherapy and CounselingGeographyFine ArtsHistory and Archeology
Technology & tools
EZ PipeEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareFred's Tip Cartridge PickerIBM NotesMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsOmniFleet Equipment Maintenance ManagementOracle DatabaseRecordkeeping softwareScientific Software Group Filter Drain FDValue Analysis
Representative tasks
Getting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsHandling and Moving ObjectsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsPerforming General Physical ActivitiesCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsControlling Machines and ProcessesEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkThinking CreativelyUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsTraining and Teaching OthersJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeopleProcessing InformationAnalyzing Data or InformationDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesCoaching and Developing OthersScheduling Work and ActivitiesRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentAssisting and Caring for OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersWorking with ComputersDocumenting/Recording InformationDeveloping and Building TeamsProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing OthersCommunicating with People Outside the Organization
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Personal protective equipment and shop safety protocols — identify and apply under direct supervisor guidance on a production floor.Shielded metal arc and basic gas metal arc welding equipment — recognize components and set up with hands-on assistance in a vocational training environment.Flat-position weld beads on mild steel — execute following step-by-step instructor direction in a controlled shop setting.Workpiece dimensions and surface conditions — measure and visually inspect using straightedges and templates under close supervision before fabrication begins.Filler rods, flux, and torch tips — select from a provided welding chart with guidance from a journeyman welder on a light fabrication job.Faulty equipment operation or defective base materials — recognize common indicators and report immediately to a supervising welder or shop lead.Job numbers and piece marks — apply to finished components using standardized marking methods as directed by work order instructions.Hand tools common to the welding trade — identify, handle, and use safely under direct observation during entry-level shop tasks.Basic metallurgy terminology and weld joint types — recall and apply in guided classroom or on-the-job learning exercises.Work area cleanliness and hazard controls — maintain consistently as part of daily shop housekeeping routines directed by a supervisor.
developing
Safety equipment and lockout/tagout procedures — apply independently and verify compliance before beginning welding operations on a production line.Shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment — set up, adjust, and operate with reduced oversight across routine fabrication assignments.Weld joints in flat, vertical, and overhead positions — complete to specification on standard structural or sheet-metal components with occasional quality checks.Straightedges, squares, and weld inspection gauges — use routinely to confirm workpiece conformance to dimensional tolerances on familiar job types.Torches, torch tips, and filler materials — select and install independently by reading welding procedure specifications for common metal types and thicknesses.Equipment malfunctions and material defects — diagnose recurring issues, document findings, and notify supervisors with clear written or verbal descriptions.Job traveler tags and piece-mark systems — complete accurately and consistently to support production tracking on multi-piece fabrication orders.Welding method selection for common carbon and stainless steel applications — apply working knowledge of geometry and basic metallurgy with limited supervisor input.Weld quality and bead appearance — monitor in-process using visual inspection and basic destructive test results to catch non-conformances early.Production schedules and job priorities — interpret and follow using shop floor work orders and, when available, ERP system task lists.
proficient
Full-scope welding operations across multiple processes — perform autonomously on complex fabrications including structural steel, pipe, and pressure components in a manufacturing environment.Non-routine weld defects such as porosity, undercut, and incomplete fusion — diagnose root causes and implement corrective action without supervisor direction.Welding procedure specifications and qualified procedure selection — interpret and apply independently across varied metal types, thicknesses, and joint configurations.Precision fit-up and dimensional conformance — verify using calibrated inspection tools and correct deviations before and during welding on tight-tolerance assemblies.Equipment selection for specialized applications — evaluate and configure GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, or oxy-fuel systems to match material and position requirements.Quality control checkpoints and weld acceptance criteria — apply AWS or applicable code standards consistently across an entire production run without prompting.Material identification and traceability documentation — manage piece marks, heat numbers, and job records to satisfy customer and regulatory requirements.Metallurgical considerations including preheat, interpass temperature, and post-weld treatment — determine and apply for alloy steels and dissimilar metal joints.CAD drawings and engineering sketches — read and interpret to extract weld symbols, dimensions, and assembly sequence for complex fabrication projects.Welding-related data and production metrics — record and report using spreadsheet or ERP software to support shop-floor quality and efficiency tracking.
advanced
Welding program standards and best practices — establish and maintain across a production department, setting quality benchmarks aligned with industry codes and customer requirements.New welders and trainees — mentor and evaluate systematically, providing structured on-the-job coaching to accelerate skill development and credential attainment.Welding procedure development and qualification testing — lead from concept through documentation, ensuring compliance with AWS, ASME, or applicable certification bodies.Cross-functional process improvement initiatives — drive by analyzing weld defect trends, cycle times, and rework costs using ERP and quality data to reduce waste.Equipment procurement decisions and capital investment recommendations — inform by evaluating emerging welding technologies and presenting cost-benefit analyses to management.Production scheduling and resource allocation — coordinate across welding cells and shifts, using ERP and scheduling software to meet delivery commitments at organizational scale.Safety culture and hazard-mitigation programs — champion by authoring procedures, conducting risk assessments, and leading incident investigations across the fabrication facility.Welding specification compliance and third-party audits — manage by preparing documentation packages, interfacing with inspectors, and resolving non-conformance reports at the organizational level.Workforce competency frameworks and skills matrices — design and implement to align welder qualifications with production demands and career advancement pathways.Strategic supplier and materials partnerships — cultivate by evaluating filler metal and base material performance data and negotiating quality agreements that support long-term production goals.
Also known as
133 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Acetylene BurnerAcetylene CutterAcetylene OperatorAcetylene Torch BurnerAcetylene Torch OperatorAcetylene Torch SoldererAluminum WelderArc CutterArc WedlerArc WelderAssembler BrazerAssembly Line BrazerAtomic WelderBar WelderBarrel Ribs SoldererBasin Finish OperatorBit WelderBlade WorkerBlow Torch BurnerBlow Torch OperatorBody WelderBoiler WelderBonderBrazerBrazing Furnace OperatorBurnerButt WelderCan SoldererCertified Maintenance WelderCombination WelderConnectorCutting Torch OperatorDeicer FinisherDie WelderDip BrazierDipperElectric Arc WelderElectric SoldererElectric Spot WelderElectric Welder