What Does it Take to Be a Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter?
Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter Job Description Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
Life As a Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter: What Do They Do?
- Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Join parts such as beams and steel reinforcing rods in buildings, bridges, and highways, bolting and riveting as necessary.
- Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.
- Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
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Qualities of a Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter
Below is a list of the skills most Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters say are important on the job.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Reading Comprehension: Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work related documents.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Judgment and Decision Making: Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Types of Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter Jobs
- Gun Welder
- Welding Specialist
- Frame Welder Cargo Utility Trailers
- Maintenance Welder
- Welder Tech
Are There Job Opportunities for Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters?
There were about 404,800 jobs for Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter in 2016 (in the United States). New jobs are being produced at a rate of 5.6% which is above the national average. The Bureau of Labor Statistics predicts 22,500 new jobs for Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter by 2026. The BLS estimates 45,800 yearly job openings in this field.
The states with the most job growth for Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter are Rhode Island, Utah, and Nevada. Watch out if you plan on working in Vermont, Maine, or Ohio. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
What is the Average Salary of a Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter
The salary for Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters ranges between about $28,560 and $63,740 a year.
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters who work in Alaska, District of Columbia, or Hawaii, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters in different U.S. states.
| State | Annual Mean Salary |
|---|---|
| Alabama | $41,050 |
| Alaska | $67,330 |
| Arizona | $43,150 |
| Arkansas | $40,340 |
| California | $46,560 |
| Colorado | $50,300 |
| Connecticut | $52,920 |
| Delaware | $52,180 |
| District of Columbia | $60,780 |
| Florida | $39,660 |
| Georgia | $37,500 |
| Hawaii | $59,120 |
| Idaho | $37,740 |
| Illinois | $42,960 |
| Indiana | $40,900 |
| Iowa | $39,240 |
| Kansas | $43,830 |
| Kentucky | $39,640 |
| Louisiana | $52,810 |
| Maine | $48,220 |
| Maryland | $50,550 |
| Massachusetts | $53,060 |
| Michigan | $39,670 |
| Minnesota | $45,490 |
| Mississippi | $44,350 |
| Missouri | $40,580 |
| Montana | $44,310 |
| Nebraska | $41,850 |
| Nevada | $48,700 |
| New Hampshire | $48,340 |
| New Jersey | $47,050 |
| New Mexico | $54,240 |
| New York | $48,040 |
| North Carolina | $41,470 |
| North Dakota | $50,860 |
| Ohio | $41,380 |
| Oklahoma | $46,040 |
| Oregon | $45,470 |
| Pennsylvania | $43,630 |
| Rhode Island | $51,000 |
| South Carolina | $43,960 |
| South Dakota | $38,420 |
| Tennessee | $40,780 |
| Texas | $46,140 |
| Utah | $45,210 |
| Vermont | $43,210 |
| Virginia | $46,360 |
| Washington | $51,230 |
| West Virginia | $48,150 |
| Wisconsin | $43,490 |
| Wyoming | $60,960 |
Tools & Technologies Used by Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- IBM Notes
- Recordkeeping software
- Scientific Software Group Filter Drain FD
How do I Become a Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter?
What kind of Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter requirements are there?
How many years of work experience do I need?
Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters Sector
Below are examples of industries where Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters work:
You May Also Be Interested In…
Those interested in being a Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter may also be interested in:
Career changers with experience as a Welder, Cutter, or Welder Fitter sometimes find work in one of the following fields:
References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
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