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Contract Welder Jobs in Rochester, NH (NOW HIRING)

Construction Engineering Technician

Kittery, ME

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

... welding, and other building materials/structural systems, as required * Attend/witness selected ... Review pre-final contract drawings and specifications (particularly Division 01 administrative ...

Construction Engineering Technician

Kittery, ME ยท On-site

$18.75 - $25.75/hr

... welding, and other building materials/structural systems, as required * Attend/witness selected ... Review pre-final contract drawings and specifications (particularly Division 01 administrative ...

Showing results 41-60

Contract Welder information

See Rochester, NH salary details

$13

$21

$30

How much do contract welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for contract welder in Rochester, NH is $21.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.37 and $24.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a contract welder?

Contract welders are skilled tradespeople who are hired on a temporary or project basis to perform welding tasks for various industries, such as construction, manufacturing, or shipbuilding. Unlike full-time employees, they work under a contract for a specified period or until a particular project is completed. Contract welders may specialize in different welding techniques and often provide their own tools and equipment. Their responsibilities typically include reading blueprints, preparing materials, and ensuring high-quality welds that meet industry standards.

What does a contract welder do?

As a contract welder, you provide welding services as an independent contractor. You decide which jobs you take and handle advertising, scheduling, and other business related tasks. You work on a project from start to finish, sourcing your own materials, managing tools and equipment, and testing your work. Your duties are to plan the project, place the pipe, solder any connections, and troubleshoot any issues that arise while providing all supplies and labor. You work with blueprints, sketches, and 3D drawings and collaborate with clients to understand their project goals. A contract welder ensures all work meets industry regulations and safety requirements.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a contract welder?

To thrive as a Contract Welder, you need excellent welding skills, a strong understanding of various welding techniques, and typically a high school diploma or equivalent, often supplemented by technical training or apprenticeship. Familiarity with welding machines, safety equipment, and certifications such as AWS (American Welding Society) are commonly required. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective time management are essential soft skills for ensuring quality and efficiency. These skills and qualifications are crucial to produce safe, precise welds and to meet project specifications and deadlines in diverse work environments.

What are some common challenges faced by contract welders when working on diverse projects?

Contract welders often encounter varying project requirements, materials, and welding techniques depending on the client and industry. Adapting quickly to new work environments and safety protocols can be challenging, as each job site may have unique standards and equipment. Additionally, balancing multiple contracts and managing fluctuating workloads requires strong organizational skills and flexibility. Effective communication with project managers and other trades is essential to ensure project specifications are met and deadlines are achieved.

What is the difference between Contract Welder vs Pipe Welder?

AspectContract WelderPipe Welder
CertificationsWelding certifications (e.g., AWS, ASME)Welding certifications, often specialized in pipe welding (e.g., API, ASME)
Work EnvironmentVarious sites, including construction, manufacturing, and maintenancePrimarily on pipelines, refineries, and industrial plants
Industry UsageUsed across multiple industries for diverse projectsSpecifically focused on pipe fabrication and installation
Work ScopeGeneral welding tasks, may include structural or fabrication workSpecialized in welding pipes and pipe fittings

Both Contract Welders and Pipe Welders require welding certifications and work in industrial environments. However, Contract Welders have a broader scope, working on various projects, while Pipe Welders specialize in pipe systems. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job opportunity.

How much do contract welders get paid?

Contract welders typically earn between $20 and $50 per hour, depending on experience, certifications, and the complexity of the work. Rates can vary based on location, project scope, and whether the work is performed on-site or remotely, with some specialized roles paying higher wages.

What are the most commonly searched types of Welder jobs in Rochester, NH?

The most popular types of Welder jobs in Rochester, NH are:

What are popular job titles related to Contract Welder jobs in Rochester, NH?

For Contract Welder jobs in Rochester, NH, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Contract Welder jobs in Rochester, NH look for?

The top searched job categories for Contract Welder jobs in Rochester, NH are:

Infographic showing various Contract Welder job openings in Rochester, NH as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 58% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 78% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 20% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $45,316 per year, or $21.8 per hour.

Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician (AC&R)

United Support Services

Kittery, ME โ€ข On-site

$25.50 - $34.75/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


Job description

United Support Services, Inc., founded in 2003, is an innovative engineering and technology business headquartered in San Diego, CA. We have an exciting new opportunity and are adding to our berthing barge and messing maintenance team. As an Air Conditioning and Refrigeration Technician (AC&R) for our facility on the Portsmouth Naval Base in Kittery, Maine area, you will be responsible for performing various training and assistance in the support of heating, cooling, air conditioning and refrigeration systems onboard U.S. Navy vessels and all facilities tasks related to work areas. USS offers competitive salaries and excellent benefits!

*Military Veterans highly encouraged to apply*

Duties and Responsibilities

  • Must possess strong analytical, problem solving and organization skills.
  • Effective communication skills to be able to make maintenance recommendations.
  • Install, service, and repair environmental-control systems on berthing and messing craft, utilizing knowledge of refrigeration and steam theory, pipefitting and structural layout.
  • Repair systems that utilize a variety of methods for air conditioning and heating such as mechanical compression, vapor compression, absorption, steam jet or air cycle.
  • Capability of maintaining and repairing a variety of domestic and commercial refrigeration units such as walk-in and reach-in coolers, refrigerators, water coolers, freezers, water and juice dispensers, ice machines, salad bars, mini split units 10-ton AC Chillers, 90-ton Carrier AC Chillers and other equipment of comparable complexity.
  • Mounts compressor and condenser units, using hand tools, following blueprints or engineering specifications.
  • Fabricate, assemble and install ductwork and chassis parts, using portable metalworking tools and welding equipment.
  • Install evaporator unit in chassis or in air-duct system, using hand tools.
  • Cut and bend tubing to correct length and shape, using cutting and bending equipment and tools.
  • Cut and thread pipes using machine-threading or hand-threading equipment.
  • Join tubing or pipes to various refrigerating units by means of sleeves, couplings or unions, and solders joints, using torch, forming complete circuit for refrigerant.
  • Install expansion and discharge valves in circuit.
  • Connect motors, compressors, temperature controls, humidity controls and circulating ventilation fans to control panels and connect control panels to power source.
  • Install air and water filters on completed installation. Injects small amount of refrigerant into compressor to test systems and adds freon gas to build up prescribed operating pressure.
  • Observe pressure and vacuum gauges and adjust controls to ensure proper operation.
  • Test joints and connections for gas leaks, using gauges or soap-and-water solution.
  • Wrap pipes in insulation batting and secure them in place.
  • Replace defective breaker controls, thermostats, switches, fuses, and electrical wiring to repair installed units, using electrician’s hand tools and test equipment.
  • May install, repair and service air conditioning units ranging from small window units to centralized units up to 300 tons cooling capacity.
  • Prioritize work; plans testing procedures; selects test equipment; determines the work sequence; locates malfunctions; determines the proper kind and type of parts and materials required and completes the repairs or installations.
  • Must be able to follow and refer to blueprints, manufacturers’ specifications, schematics, block diagrams, and technical orders as needed.
  • Require little or no supervision or checks during the progress of his/her work assignments.
  • Must have own basic tool kit.
  • Per contract requirements, must be able to respond to urgent calls outside of regular working hours.
  • Employees are expected to provide their own customary trade hand-tools necessary to perform their job duties, subject to applicable federal, state, and local laws.
  • Employees are expected to perform other duties as assigned, including tasks outside of their primary trade, when required to support operational needs. Such assignments may be temporary or may continue for an extended period of time.


Experience:

  • Berthing Barge and Messing experience preferred.
  • 5 years of shipboard Air Conditioning & Refrigeration (AC&R)/HVAC maintenance and repairs.
  • Understanding of industrial U.S. Navy ship repair activities, as well as ship layout, configuration, control plates, placards, markings, and symbols.
  • Knowledge of U.S. Navy AC&R equipment.
  • Understanding of ship electrical power, heating, air conditioning, refrigeration and isolation, hot work, confined spaces work, and fire-watches (Fire Safety Watch requirements).
  • Ability to read technical manuals, policies, guidelines, and repair standards.
  • Good verbal communication skills, report writing skills, and responsible to work independently at times.

Qualifications:

  • High school diploma or equivalent.
  • Must have Security Clearance.
  • Must have valid Driver’s License.
  • Ability to pass a government background check and obtain base access credentials.
  • Must have an Environmental Protection Agency (EPA Type I, II, III and Universal Certification)
  • Must be certified to handle, retrieve and recharge refrigerant (EPA Section 608 Certification).

ADA Notations:

Ability to traverse narrow passageways, ladders/stairs, and confined spaces.

Requires walking, reaching, sitting and concentration in the presence of occasional noise.

Able to lift, carry and move objects up to 50 lbs. in weight.


Job Type: Full-time, Non-Exempt

Benefits:

  • 401(k)
  • 401(k) matching
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance

United Support Services, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity and affirmative action employer.