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What is a pipe welder and how to become one
A pipe welder is an individual who employs various techniques to permanently join metal pipes together. Their duties and responsibilities include assembling and installing metal pipes and pipe fittings and securing pipes to structures. They cut and shape metal components to set specifications and fill holes, cracks, and dents on metal pieces and pipe products. They study schematics, diagrams, and blueprints in order to determine the layout of pipes, and they troubleshoot piping systems and conduct diagnostics to identify and fix pipe problems.
Pipe welders need technical skills for operating welding tools and equipment, problem-solving skills for finding and fixing problems with piping systems, and communication skills for producing detailed reports of work activities. Their work is mainly outdoors, so they work in extreme weather conditions and should be prepared for this. They also need to have excellent customer service skills to ensure clients get the best experience possible and become repeat customers.
All that's required to become a pipe welder is a high school diploma or GED and a 3-5 year apprenticeship program with a labour union. To give yourself an added advantage in finding a job, you could obtain certification from the American Welding Society (AWS). Pipe welders earn an average salary of about $21.89 an hour, or $45,536 a year. Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow by 3% and produce 14,500 new jobs across the U.S., according to the Bureau of Labour Statistics.
Avg. Salary $46,364
Avg. Salary $59,228
Growth Rate 2%
Growth Rate 0.3%
American Indian and Alaska Native 1.62%
Asian 2.70%
Black or African American 10.93%
Hispanic or Latino 18.65%
Unknown 4.00%
White 62.11%
Genderfemale 4.04%
male 95.96%
Age - 40American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%
Asian 7.00%
Black or African American 14.00%
Hispanic or Latino 19.00%
White 57.00%
Genderfemale 47.00%
male 53.00%
Age - 40Stress level is manageable
7.1 - high
Complexity Level is challenging
7 - challenging
Work Life balance is good
6.4 - fair
Pipe Welder career paths
Key steps to become a pipe welder
Explore pipe welder education requirements
Start to develop specific pipe welder skills
Skills 
Percentages Carbon Steel 15.67% MIG 9.82% Hand Tools 7.56% TIG 6.30% SMAW 5.99% Complete relevant pipe welder training and internships
Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New pipe welders learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a pipe welder based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real pipe welder resumes.Obtain the necessary licensing
Becoming a licensed pipe welder usually doesn't require a college degree. However, you need to pass an exam to become a licensed pipe welder in most of states. 26 states require pipe welders to have license for their work. You can see the list of states below.State Education Exam License Url Alabama - - Certified Master Gas Fitter Maryland Specific course required State exam required GAS FITTER Arkansas Degree required Both state and third-party exams required Gas Fitter Colorado - State exam required Master Plumber Connecticut - State exam required Plumbing & Piping Unlimited Contractor Gain additional pipe welder certifications
More About CertificationsPipe welder certifications can show employers you have a baseline of knowledge expected for the position. Certifications can also make you a more competitive candidate. Even if employers don't require a specific pipe welder certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.
The most common certifications for pipe welders include Certified Welder and Certified Welding Engineer.
Research pipe welder duties and responsibilities
- Silver solder, TIG, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW weld mild steel stainless steel aluminum and copper nickel respectively.
- Weld carbon and stainless steel pipe in position and roll out machines utilizing GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW processes.
- Skil in all types of welding, including MIG, TIG, stick, aluminum and stainless steel.
- Work with TIG and MIG welding systems, as well as forklifts and overhead cranes up to 30 tons.
Prepare your pipe welder resume
When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your pipe welder resume.
You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a pipe welder resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.
Choose From 10+ Customizable Pipe Welder Resume templates
Build a professional Pipe Welder resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your Pipe Welder resume.
Apply for pipe welder jobs
Now it's time to start searching for a pipe welder job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:
- Browse job boards for relevant postings
- Consult your professional network
- Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
- Watch out for job scams
How Did You Land Your First Pipe Welder Job
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Average pipe welder salary
The average Pipe Welder salary in the United States is $46,364 per year or $22 per hour. Pipe welder salaries range between $33,000 and $63,000 per year.
What Am I Worth?
How do pipe welders rate their job?
Pipe Welder reviews
Good job for a person like me. Just put my hood down and weld without much instruction. I am quiet and welding fits good with my personality.
I don't like getting burned, but as long as I wear proper protection, it is very preventable.
It's challenging it keeps focused
Not to be appreciated, when we work hard, l love my work ND l wana learn more
The skill level required to properly join metal together. Pride in your work and skill
Being Hot. The concentration level can be very tiring. Can be hard on the eyes.
Updated January 8, 2025
