What is a welder helper and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025
4 min read
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Welder Helpers work closely with professional welders, and their role is to ensure the welder lays down quality welds on every project. As a welder helper, you may assist the lead welder in moving heavy objects, holding down certain workpieces, or handle certain welding tasks yourself.

Welder helpers possess skills similar to lead welders, including brazing, cutting, and quality assessment of welded workpieces. Helpers also identify potential weak spots, clean the work area, understand the work scope, and assemble metal parts.

You can become a welder helper without any formal education; experience and know-how are often enough to secure this great position. However, you may need a high school diploma to secure a rated apprenticeship and advance to more significant roles. Professional welder helpers also need physical strength to handle heavy metal objects and technical skill to operate specialized equipment.

ScoreWelder HelperUS Average
Salary
2.3

Avg. Salary $29,684

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability Level
5.8

Growth Rate 2%

Growth Rate 0.3%

Diversity
8.9
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.55%

Asian 2.53%

Black or African American 8.90%

Hispanic or Latino 25.96%

Unknown 3.93%

White 57.12%

Gender

female 7.91%

male 92.09%

Age - 40
Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40
Stress Level
5.8

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity Level
7.7

Complexity Level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work Life Balance
6.9

Work Life balance is good

6.4 - fair

Welder Helper career paths

Key steps to become a welder helper

  1. Explore welder helper education requirements

    Most common welder helper degrees

    High School Diploma

    59.6 %

    Diploma

    13.1 %

    Associate

    12.2 %
  2. Start to develop specific welder helper skills

    Skills
    ascdesc
    Percentages
    ascdesc
    Grind Welds10.23%
    MIG9.14%
    Grinders8.76%
    Safety Equipment6.89%
    Arc Welding6.55%
  3. Complete relevant welder helper training and internships

    Accountants spend an average of 6-12 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New welder helpers 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 welder helper based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real welder helper resumes.
  4. Gain additional welder helper certifications

    Welder helper 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 welder helper certification, having one may help you stand out relative to other applicants.

    The most common certifications for welder helpers include OSHA Safety Certificate and Certified Welder.

    More About Certifications
  5. Research welder helper duties and responsibilities

    • Manage and run production parts through the brake.
    • Weld structural material including carbon steel and stainless steel using SMAW, and MIG processes.
    • Perform welder duties using SMAW, PAC, GMAW, oxy-fuel cutting, and GTAW processes.
    • Work on vessels welding using SMAW and FCAW
  6. Prepare your welder helper resume

    When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your welder helper 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 welder helper resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

    Choose From 10+ Customizable Welder Helper Resume templates

    Build a professional Welder Helper 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 Welder Helper resume.
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  7. Apply for welder helper jobs

    Now it's time to start searching for a welder helper job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

    1. Browse job boards for relevant postings
    2. Consult your professional network
    3. Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
    4. Watch out for job scams

How Did You Land Your First Welder Helper Job

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Average welder helper salary

The average Welder Helper salary in the United States is $29,684 per year or $14 per hour. Welder helper salaries range between $22,000 and $38,000 per year.

Average Welder Helper Salary
$29,684 Yearly
$14.27 hourly

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How do welder helpers rate their job?

5/5

Based On 1 Ratings

5 Stars

4 Stars

3 Stars

2 Stars

1 Star

Welder Helper reviews

profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Mar 2022
Cons

Not being told what to do. Taking the initiative .


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2020
Pros

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.

Cons

I don't like getting burned, but as long as I wear proper protection, it is very preventable.


profile
A zippia user wrote a review on Jan 2020
Pros

It's challenging it keeps focused

Cons

Not to be appreciated, when we work hard, l love my work ND l wana learn more


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Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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