Day in the life
A Day in the Life of a Welder
What welders actually do from the start of a shift to the end: the tasks, tools, schedule and realities of the job.
Review the fabrication drawings for steel brackets and check the weld procedure specification. From there, the day usually includes read blueprints, specifications and weld symbols, prepare, clean and fit metal parts, and set up welding equipment and select processes and settings. Usually full-time. Overtime and shift work are common in manufacturing; pipeline and industrial shutdown work can involve long hours and travel.
Hour by hour: a typical shift
No two days are identical, but this timeline reflects a realistic day for a welder working full time.
- Review the fabrication drawings for steel brackets and check the weld procedure specification.
- Cut plate to size with a plasma cutter and grind bevels on the edges.
- Fit and tack the parts with a square and clamps, checking dimensions.
- Run MIG fillet welds in the horizontal position, adjusting voltage and wire speed.
- Switch to stick welding for a field repair on a trailer hitch.
- Inspect welds visually for undercut and porosity and grind and repair one defect.
- Clean the work area, check gas cylinders and log completed parts.
Where welders work
Welders work in fabrication shops, factories, shipyards, construction sites and refineries, sometimes outdoors or at heights. The work involves heat, sparks, bright light, fumes and heavy lifting, so PPE and ventilation are essential.
Hours and schedule
Usually full-time. Overtime and shift work are common in manufacturing; pipeline and industrial shutdown work can involve long hours and travel.
Tasks you’ll do most often
- Read blueprints, specifications and weld symbols
- Prepare, clean and fit metal parts
- Set up welding equipment and select processes and settings
- Weld components in flat, horizontal, vertical and overhead positions
- Cut metal with oxy-fuel or plasma torches
- Inspect welds for defects and repair as needed
- Maintain equipment and follow fire and fume safety rules
Tools you’ll use every day
- MIG, TIG and stick welding machines
- Auto-darkening welding helmet
- Angle grinders
- Plasma and oxy-fuel cutting torches
- Clamps, squares and measuring tools
- Fume extraction equipment
The best and hardest parts of the job
What people like
- Start working after months of training
- Skills used across many industries
- Specialized welders can earn high pay
- Satisfying, tangible work
What’s hard
- Hazards: burns, fumes, UV light and fire
- Hot, loud and physically demanding conditions
- Some jobs require travel or remote work sites
- Manufacturing work can be cyclical
You’ll likely thrive if…
- I like making things with my hands
- I have a steady hand and patience for precise work
- Heat, sparks and noise don’t bother me
- I want to start working within a year
- I’m comfortable following blueprints and measurements
- I take safety equipment seriously
Not sure? Take the free Welder fit quiz or the Career Match Quiz.
Staying safe on the job
- Wear a properly shaded welding helmet, flame-resistant clothing and gloves
- Use ventilation or fume extraction, especially for stainless and galvanized steel
- Follow hot work permits and keep a fire watch where required
- Secure gas cylinders upright and away from heat