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Career Overview

What They Do

Source: careerzone.ny.gov

A welder's primary duty is to join metal parts together. They may also fix holes in metal objects as well. They work on the metal components of various structures to include pipelines, bridges, power plants, buildings, refineries, automobiles, or ships. There is also more to welding than most people may realize.  Use hand-welding or flame-cutting equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products. Welders, cutters, soldiers, and braziers may work outdoors, often in inclement weather, or indoors, sometimes in a confined area. They may work on a scaffold, high off the ground, and they occasionally must lift heavy objects and work in awkward positions. Most work full time and overtime is common

Job Duties

Source: Careeronestop.org
  • Operate welding equipment.

  • Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly.

  • Lay out parts to prepare for assembly.

  • Assemble metal or plastic parts or products.

  • Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications.

  • Select production equipment according to product specifications.

  • Ignite fuel to activate heating equipment.

  • Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow.

  • Determine metal or plastic production methods.

  • Monitor equipment operation to ensure that products are not flawed.

  • Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences.

  • Mark products, workpieces, or equipment with identifying information.

  • Trim excess material from workpieces.

  • Operate grinding equipment.

  • Smooth metal surfaces or edges.

  • Clean workpieces or finished products.

  • Signal others to coordinate work activities.

  • Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production.

  • Design templates or patterns.

  • Mount materials or workpieces onto production equipment.

  • Watch operating equipment to detect malfunctions.

  • Notify others of equipment repair or maintenance needs.

  • Clean production equipment.

  • Shape metal workpieces with hammers or other small hand tools.

  • Cut industrial materials in preparation for fabrication or processing.

  • Reshape metal workpieces to established specifications.

  • Disassemble equipment for maintenance or repair.

  • Repair parts or assemblies.

  • Fill cracks, imperfections, or holes in products or workpieces.

  • Maintain inventories of materials, equipment, or products.

  • Estimate material requirements for production.

  • Operate metal or plastic forming equipment.

  • Assemble metal structures.

  • Assemble temporary equipment or structures.

  • Drill holes in parts, equipment, or materials.

  • Mix ingredients to create specific finishes.

  • Apply protective or decorative finishes to workpieces or products.

  • Solder parts or workpieces.

  • Melt metal, plastic, or other materials to prepare for production.

Job Earnings

Source: careerzone.ny.gov

In New York State, the average annual wage for this occupation is:$27,460 for entry level workers and $50,470 for experienced workers.

Education/Training Requirements

Source: careerzone.ny.gov
  • These occupations usually require a high school diploma.

  • Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.

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Job Outlook & Growth

Source: Careeronestop.org

In New York State, 1,230 welding job openings are predicted annually through 2026 due to creation of new positions, retirement, and attrition.

Career Pathway

Ways to Start Preparing for Your Future Career TODAY!

Middle & High School Opportunities

Local Colleges/Training

Source: VetTechnicians.org/NY

Local Career Connection

Joel Rice & Kris Madeville, 

Welder/Fabricator

Oxbo International

Byron, NY

Deeper Dive

Training for a Welding Career

in High School

WXXI - #AMGradROC

Welding Technology Tour

Alfred State

Where Can I Work?

Local GLOW Companies With Welding Jobs

Oxbo logo link to website
Ulrich logo link to website
Graham log link to website
dimar logo link to website
PKG logo link to website
Shawndra logo link to website
M&T Trucking logo link to website

This is a selection of businesses in the region offering this career.  That does not mean that there are currently positions available.  For information on companies who are hiring right now, please visit https://newyork.usnlx.com/

 If you would like to see your business listed here in the future, please email us at GLOWWithYourHands@Gmail.com.

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