Welding Labor Market Information

Occupational Information Network (O*NET)

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Standard Occupational Classification: 51-4121.00

Job Description: 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.

Sample of reported job titles:

  • Assembly Line Brazer
  • Brazer
  • Fabrication Welder
  • Maintenance Welder
  • MIG Welder (Metal Inert Gas Welder)
  • Solderer
  • TIG Welder (Tungsten Inert Gas Welder)
  • Welder
  • Welder Fitter
  • Wirer

Tasks

  • Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.

  • Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.

  • Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.

  • Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.

  • 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.

Work Activities

  • Getting Information — Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.

  • Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials — Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.

  • Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events — Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.

  • Handling and Moving Objects — Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.

  • Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings — Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.

Abilities

  • Arm-Hand Steadiness — The ability to keep your hand and arm steady while moving your arm or while holding your arm and hand in one position.

  • Near Vision — The ability to see details at close range (within a few feet of the observer).

  • Finger Dexterity — The ability to make precisely coordinated movements of the fingers of one or both hands to grasp, manipulate, or assemble very small objects.

  • Problem Sensitivity — The ability to tell when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong. It does not involve solving the problem, only recognizing that there is a problem.

  • Control Precision — The ability to quickly and repeatedly adjust the controls of a machine or a vehicle to exact positions.

Work Styles

  • Attention to Detail — Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.

  • Dependability — Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.

  • Cooperation — Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.

  • Initiative — Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.

  • Self-Control — Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.