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Friction Welder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

American Drillpipe LLC

Operations Manager

Blanchard, OK · On-site

$32 - $45/hr

We run a modern friction-weld line (200-ton welder), post-weld heat treatment, and in-house inspection, serving oil & gas and adjacent markets (geothermal, mining, water well, HDD). This is a ground ...

American Drillpipe LLC

Operations Manager

Blanchard, OK

$32 - $45/hr

We run a modern friction-weld line (200-ton welder), post-weld heat treatment, and in-house inspection, serving oil & gas and adjacent markets (geothermal, mining, water well, HDD). This is a ground ...

American Drillpipe LLC

Operations Manager

Blanchard, OK · On-site

$32 - $45/hr

We run a modern friction-weld line (200-ton welder), post-weld heat treatment, and in-house inspection, serving oil & gas and adjacent markets (geothermal, mining, water well, HDD). This is a ground ...

Cleaveland/Price Inc.

Welder

Trafford, PA · On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

The company also utilizes specialized processes, such as MIG and TIG welding, friction welding, silver and tin electroplating, and silver brazing. Cleaveland/Price's employee-focused culture plays an ...

Lockheed Martin

Welder

Owego, NY

$18.25 - $24/hr

Welders may also be asked to certify on friction stir welding processes using CNC controlled friction stir weld equipment. WHO WE ARE Lockheed Martin: An Award-Winning Place to Work WHY JOIN US Your ...

Lockheed Martin Corporation

Welder

Owego, NY · On-site

$18.25 - $24/hr

Welders may also be asked to certify on friction stir welding processes using CNC controlled friction stir weld equipment. WHO WE ARE Lockheed Martin: An Award-Winning Place to Work WHY JOIN US Your ...

Cleaveland/Price Inc

Welder

Trafford, PA · On-site

$19.75 - $25.50/hr

The company also utilizes specialized processes, such as MIG and TIG welding, friction welding, silver and tin electroplating, and silver brazing. Cleaveland/Price's employee-focused culture plays an ...

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Friction Welder information

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How much do friction welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for friction welder in the United States is $23.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $26.44 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What welding jobs pay $50 an hour?

Friction welders and other specialized welding roles can earn $50 an hour or more, especially with experience, certifications, and working in high-demand industries like aerospace or manufacturing. Advanced skills, such as precision welding and knowledge of specific materials, often contribute to higher pay rates.

Can you make $300,000 as a welder?

Friction welders, a specialized type of welder, typically earn lower annual salaries, often between $40,000 and $80,000. Reaching a $300,000 income generally requires extensive experience, advanced skills, working in high-paying industries, or holding supervisory or managerial positions, which are uncommon for entry-level or standard welding roles.

What is the difference between Friction Welder vs Arc Welder?

AspectFriction WelderArc Welder
CredentialsHigh school diploma or equivalent; some certificationsHigh school diploma or equivalent; certifications often preferred
Work EnvironmentManufacturing plants, workshops, industrial settingsConstruction sites, manufacturing, repair shops
Industry UsageAutomotive, aerospace, appliance manufacturingConstruction, metal fabrication, maintenance

Friction welders and arc welders both work in manufacturing and industrial environments, but friction welders use heat generated by mechanical friction to join materials, while arc welders use an electric arc. Their credentials are similar, but their work processes and applications differ significantly.

What are friction welders?

Friction welders are skilled tradespeople who operate specialized machines that join materials, usually metals, using frictional heat rather than traditional welding methods like arcs or flames. They set up, monitor, and maintain friction welding equipment to ensure strong, high-quality welds. Friction welders often work in manufacturing, automotive, and aerospace industries, where their expertise is required to create durable joins that can withstand significant stresses. They must understand safety procedures, machine settings, and the properties of the materials being joined.

What are some common challenges faced by friction welders, and how can they be addressed in the workplace?

Friction welders often encounter challenges such as maintaining precise alignment of materials and monitoring weld parameters to ensure consistent quality. These issues can be addressed by following strict safety protocols, regularly calibrating equipment, and participating in ongoing training. Collaboration with quality control teams and mechanical engineers is also essential to troubleshoot problems and improve processes. Staying up to date with advancements in welding technology can further help friction welders overcome technical challenges and enhance their performance.

Do welders make $100 an hour?

Friction welders, a specialized type of welder, typically earn less than $100 an hour, with average wages ranging from $20 to $40 per hour depending on experience, location, and industry. High-paying positions may reach higher rates, especially for skilled or certified welders working in demanding environments or with advanced equipment, but $100 an hour is uncommon for most friction welding roles.

Is friction welding a thing?

Friction welding is a real and widely used manufacturing process in which heat generated by mechanical friction joins materials, often metals, without melting them. Friction welders operate in controlled environments and require specific skills, tools, and safety precautions. It is commonly employed in industries such as aerospace, automotive, and manufacturing.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Friction Welder, and why are they important?

To excel as a Friction Welder, you need a solid understanding of welding principles, metallurgy, and blueprint reading, usually backed by a vocational qualification or technical training. Familiarity with friction welding machines, measurement tools, and quality control systems is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and strong communication skills help ensure safety and precision in the workplace. These competencies are crucial for producing high-quality welds, maintaining equipment, and meeting strict industry standards.
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Friction Welder jobs near you

Research Engineer (Friction Welding Processes)

EDISON WELDING INSTITUTE INC

Columbus, OH • On-site

$34.50 - $47.50/hr

Full-time

Posted 12 days ago

Job description

EWI is a world leader in developing and deploying new technologies that enable companies to bridge the gap between R&D and manufacturing implementation. EWI associates are passionate about identifying out-of-the-box options that provide a long-term competitive advantage for our clients. Our clients tell us we are a valuable extension and complement to their innovation, engineering, and manufacturing teams. If you enjoy dealing with customers and solving difficult, technical problems, EWI is the place for you.
We are seeking an engineer to support EWI's Solid State Welding and Additive Manufacturing group, who is, or seeks to become, an expert in solid state additive technologies. At EWI, solid state welding covers all variants including direct drive, inertia, linear, stir, spot welding, and additive friction processes. EWI specialized in developing unique friction- and hybrid-based methodologies for specific customer applications.
This work requires a unique blend of deep technical understanding of first principal physics (metallurgy, heat flow, strength of materials, weld process physics) and hands-on problem solving. The goal is use this skillset to innovatively apply them to redefine process limitations to satisfy cutting edge customer challenges while adhering to a strict timeline. EWI is looking for a research engineer that can excel in this field. Work will include not only growing to function as a process expert but interacting with clients leading to new opportunities for EWI to practice this expertise.
ESSENTIAL DUTIES:
  • Supports projects by managing the technical approach, coordinating resources in support of project execution, managing expectations with the customer, and delivering the results to the customer
  • Applies knowledge and hands -on experience to the pursuit of results during the execution of projects to solve problems for the customer per their needs and expectations
  • Supports the preparation of clear, concise, and accurate technical reports, proposals, and other documents for customers and/or internal audiences
  • Promotes and communicates EWI's capabilities by presenting at conferences, consortia meetings, client meetings, or internal meetings as required
  • Supports internal research and development (IRD) projects to build area of expertise and develop new innovative EWI capabilities
  • Interacts with customers on the front-end of projects to understand their needs for friction welding process development and translates them into project requirements and deliverables
  • Supports the development of technical or business opportunities and connects the customer with any of EWI's broad range of resources
  • Follows up and interacts with customers on reactive project scoping and proposal assembly.
  • Works at client sites to analyze manufacturing / fabrication situations, support implementation of advanced technology solutions, resolve technical issues with existing friction welding technology, and / or support execution of manufacturing process assessments (less than 15% of the time)

KNOWLEDGE/SKILLS/ABILITIES:
  • Familiar with friction welding process variants including friction stir, additive friction stir deposition, and refill friction stir spot welding. In-depth understanding of at least one of these process variants is desired. Additive Manufacturing skills such as path planning, process monitoring, and in situ flaw detection are also of interest.
  • Demonstrated knowledge in welding and additive manufacturing metallurgy
  • Demonstrated knowledge in analytical modeling of welding or AM processes
  • Understanding of the concepts in heat transfer, strength of materials, statics, and dynamics
  • Ability to support projects by providing technical oversight, coordinating resources, managing expectations, and preparing and delivering the results to the client while meeting the scope, budget, and schedule requirements
  • Ability to effectively deliver results while working in a diverse multi-disciplinary project team that may consist of both internal and client resources
  • Ability to identify and analyze problems, gather and sort relevant data, and process data logically to determine preferred solutions
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills with ability to deliver presentations at conferences, consortia meetings, client meetings, or internal meetings
  • Demonstrated ability to prepare written reports and PowerPoint reports
  • Utilizes judgment in communication styles and behaviors, recognizes impact on other team members and the client
  • Strong ability to plan and organize tasks autonomously
  • Adheres to timelines and proactively develops effective solutions for evaluation by senior staff
  • Willingness to travel periodically (up to 15%) to customers and conferences

EDUCATION:
  • B.S. in Welding Engineering, Material Science, Metallurgy, or relevant area of study
  • M.S. or Ph.D. in relevant area of study is preferred

EXPERIENCE:
  • Minimum of three (3) or more years of experience with developing friction welding processes, or an M.S. or Ph.D. degree with thesis work focused on a friction welding process or variant

EXPORT CONTROLS - This position requires access to information and technology that is subject to U.S. export controls. To conform to U.S. export control regulations, applicant should be eligible for any required authorizations from the U.S. Government.
EOE/M/F/Disability/Protected Veteran Status
Accommodations
Individuals who need reasonable accommodations under the ADA in order to participate in the search and/or application process should contact Human Resources at (614) 688-5000.

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