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Per Diem Welder Jobs in Decatur, IL (NOW HIRING)

... per diem - are periodically available for this position. The essential functions of this position include: * Ironwork and connecting steel * Structural welding * Setting up and using torches

Iron & Steel Erector

Decatur, IL · On-site

$28 - $34/hr

... per diem -- are periodically available for this position. The essential functions of this position include: * Ironwork and connecting steel * Structural welding * Setting up and using torches

API 510/570/653

Decatur, IL · On-site

$24.50 - $32.50/hr

... travel and per-diem paid. • Work with top-tier equipment and support teams in a high-impact ... API 510, 570, 653 • Solid understanding of damage mechanisms, welding, pressure boundaries, and ...

API 510/570/653

Decatur, IL

$24.50 - $32.50/hr

... travel and per-diem paid. · Work with top-tier equipment and support teams in a high-impact ... API 510, 570, 653 · Solid understanding of damage mechanisms, welding, pressure boundaries, and ...

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Per Diem Welder information

See Decatur, IL salary details

$9

$25

$34

How much do per diem welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for per diem welder in Decatur, IL is $25.58, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.92 and $29.62 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by Per Diem Welders, and how can they prepare for these situations?

Per Diem Welders often work in diverse job sites with varying equipment, materials, and safety protocols, which can present challenges in quickly adapting to new environments. They may also face fluctuating work schedules and the need to travel or relocate for short-term assignments. To prepare, it's important to stay current with a broad range of welding certifications, maintain a flexible mindset, and be proactive in understanding each site's expectations. Building strong communication skills also helps in collaborating effectively with new teams and supervisors.

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

To thrive as a Per Diem Welder, you need strong welding techniques, blueprint reading skills, and relevant certifications such as AWS or equivalent, along with proven safety knowledge. Familiarity with welding equipment, various welding processes (MIG, TIG, Stick), and safety management systems is typically required. Attention to detail, reliability, and adaptability are crucial soft skills for excelling in short-term or varied assignments. These competencies ensure high-quality, safe work and the ability to quickly integrate into different teams and job sites.

What is a Per Diem Welder?

A Per Diem Welder is a skilled tradesperson who is hired on a temporary or as-needed basis to perform welding tasks, often receiving a daily allowance (per diem) to cover travel, lodging, or meal expenses. These welders typically work on short-term projects or in locations where specialized welding skills are required. The per diem compensation makes the job attractive for those willing to travel or work in remote areas. Per Diem Welders may work in industries such as construction, shipbuilding, manufacturing, or oil and gas.

What Do Per Diem Welders Do?

Per diem welders have the same job as salaried welders; they fuse metal together using intense heat. The main difference is per diem welders receive an additional daily stipend to be used for food, travel, and other expenses incurred while on the job. As a per diem welder, you must understand the details of different welding metals, including stainless steel, aluminum, and brass, and be able to read blueprints and follow technical instructions. Per diem welders work in a wide range of industries, from manufacturing to aerospace to oil drilling. Other industries that use welders include automobile, manufacturing, construction, or maritime. Certification is not required, but becoming certified by national agencies such as the American Welding Society (AWS) may make you more competitive in the job market.

What is the difference between Per Diem Welder vs Contract Welder?

AspectPer Diem WelderContract Welder
CredentialsWelding certifications (e.g., AWS, ASME)Welding certifications (e.g., AWS, ASME)
Work EnvironmentProject sites, industrial facilities, remote locationsProject sites, industrial facilities, remote locations
Employment TypePer diem (daily rate, often temporary)Fixed-term contract or project-based
UsageOften used for short-term or emergency projectsUsed for specific projects with defined durations

Both Per Diem Welders and Contract Welders require similar certifications and work in comparable environments. The main difference lies in employment structure: Per Diem Welders are paid daily and may work on short-term assignments, while Contract Welders are hired for specific projects with set durations. Understanding these distinctions helps job seekers choose the right opportunity based on their preferences and career goals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Welder jobs in Decatur, IL? The most popular types of Welder jobs in Decatur, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Per Diem Welder jobs in Decatur, IL? For Per Diem Welder jobs in Decatur, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Per Diem Welder jobs in Decatur, IL look for? The top searched job categories for Per Diem Welder jobs in Decatur, IL are:
What cities near Decatur, IL are hiring for Per Diem Welder jobs? Cities near Decatur, IL with the most Per Diem Welder job openings:
Combination Welder - Austin Industrial Decatur, IL (PER DIEM)

Combination Welder - Austin Industrial Decatur, IL (PER DIEM)

Austin Bridge & Raod, LP

Decatur, IL

Full-time

Posted yesterday


Austin Industries rating

7.1

Company rating: 7.1 out of 10

Based on 54 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

48th of 78 rated construction


Job description

 Austin Industrial provides premier self-perform maintenance, construction, and soft craft service to leading industrial companies across the U.S. An industry leader for more than 60 years, we offer single-source solutions to our customers in the oil, gas, chemical, food, agriculture, power, and manufacturing industries. 

To learn more about us, visit https://www.austin-ind.com/what-we-do/industrial. 

Welder - Combination

This person must be able to join metal parts, such as pipe or metal plates as specified by layout, blueprints, work orders, welding procedures or oral instructions through the application of heat or electric arc-welding equipment. Other duties may be assigned.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities:

  • Uses spot welding gun or hand, electric, or gas welding equipment to weld or tack weld pieces together.
  • Unites pipes from torch to tanks of oxygen and fuel gas and turns valves to release mixture.
  • Reaching expected temperature, size, and color of flame by burning torch and adjusting flow of gas and air.
  • Preheats work pieces for the preparation of welding or curving, using torch.
  • Fills holes or corrects mistakes in lead pieces and makes bulges thin and curves in metal work pieces.
  • Checks the weakness of work pieces and measures work pieces with straightedge or template to ensure the piece meets specifications.
  • Climbs up ladders or works on scaffolds to take apart textures.
  • Gives signal to crane operator to lift large work pieces.
  • Uses thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torch or plasma-arc equipment to dismount metal assemblies or cut scrap metal.
  • Uses hoist, crane, wire and banding machine, or hand tools to place and protect work pieces.
  • In order to protect the torch chooses place of weld based on type, thickness, area, and expected temperature of metal.
  • Instructs and brings flame or electrodes on or across work piece to straighten, curve, dissolve, or develop metal.
  • Joins pieces together, covers up taut points, and adds metal to develop parts.
  • Other duties as assigned.
  • Applicants must be legally authorized to work for ANY employer in the United States. Austin Industrial is unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment visa for this position.

Physical Demands:

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. While performing the duties of this Job, the employee is regularly required to sit; use hands to finger, handle, or feel and reach with hands and arms. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; climb or balance; stoop, kneel, crouch, or crawl; talk or hear and taste or smell. The employee must regularly lift and /or move up to 25 pounds and may frequently lift and/or move up to 50 pounds.  Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

Qualifications Required for this Position:

Education: – no minimum education requirements.

Experience: – 4 years of Journeyman-level experience.

Certifications/ Licenses: A Weld Test, a Valid Driver’s License, and a TWIC Card.

Austin Industrial is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

See the “Know Your Rights” poster available in English and Spanish.

No Third-Party Inquiries Please

This Company does not accept and will not consider unsolicited resumes or any other unsolicited candidate information submitted to the Company or any of its employee-owners by staffing agencies, search firms, or third-party recruiters in response to a posted vacancy. The Company will not pay any placement fee(s) without a written agreement to do so (i.e., payment must be required pursuant to the terms of a written agreement). 

Any unsolicited resumes or candidate information submitted to this Company or any of its employee-owners becomes the property of the Company. 

Accessibility Note

If you are a job seeker with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation to apply for one of our jobs or have accessibility concerns, please contact the People Services Team at (877) 831-1217.


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