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Plate Welder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Warren Fabricating

Heavy Steel Plate Welder

Hubbard, OH · On-site

$21.50 - $26/hr

Shift Differential A Warren Fab Heavy Plate Welder is welding and fabricating massive steel structures like large steel girders, beams, and nodes for skyscrapers and large power generation equipment.

Gulf Copper LLC

Pipe Welder TIG/Heliarc

Port Arthur, TX · On-site

$17.50 - $22.50/hr

Plate Welder 2nd Class (PLW2) - Welder capable of welding SMAW or FCAW on plate/structural with ABS Q2+4G or ASME or AWS plate test (2G+3G+4G). Plate Welder 1st Class (PLW1) - Welder capable of ...

Anonymous Employer

Welder

Pittsburgh, PA

$20 - $25/hr

Must pass Plate Weld Test. Fluxcore, Mig, Tig and Submerged arc welding, very little Stick welding. Our weld test for the welders is a 3G open root plate test. 1 inch thick material with double bevel ...

Miller-Leaman

WELDER

Daytona Beach, FL · On-site

$25 - $30/hr

Perform GTAW and GMAW welding on stainless steel sheet, plate, pipe, and tubing * Fabricate and weld components into assemblies according to shop drawings and specifications * Read and interpret ...

Arcosa LWB, LLC

Expert Welder

Belen, NM

$18 - $23.75/hr

Belen, NM Test requirements: * 1" plate welded with 1/16" FCAW in the 1G position to be UT tested * 1" plate welded with 1/16" FCAW in the 3G position for side bends What you will do: * Core ...

Aerotek

Welder

Rockford, IL · On-site

$18 - $25/hr

For welder-only work, perform heavy plate welding with cored wire in line with AWS D1.1 standards. * For fitter responsibilities, take parts from start to finish, including fitting and fabrication ...

IMOCO INC.

Welder

Fletcher, NC · On-site

$26 - $29.50/hr

An understanding of welding procedures commonly used in pipe and plate welding * Leadership ability * Recognize and address safety aspects of projects * Communicate effectively with customers ...

Arcosa Lightweight

Expert Welder

Belen, NM · On-site

$18 - $23.75/hr

Belen, NM Test requirements: * 1" plate welded with 1/16" FCAW in the 1G position to be UT tested * 1" plate welded with 1/16" FCAW in the 3G position for side bends What you will do: * Core ...

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Plate Welder information

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$33

How much do plate welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for plate 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 is a plate welder?

Plate welders are skilled tradespeople who specialize in joining large, flat metal plates together using various welding techniques, such as MIG, TIG, or arc welding. They often work in industries like shipbuilding, construction, manufacturing, and infrastructure, where strong, durable welds are essential. Plate welders must read blueprints, follow safety standards, and inspect their work to ensure structural integrity. Their expertise contributes to the creation and repair of structures like bridges, ships, tanks, and heavy machinery.

What is the difference between Plate Welder vs Pipe Welder?

AspectPlate WelderPipe Welder
CertificationsAWS D1.1, ASMEAPI, ASME
Work EnvironmentStructural steel, shipbuilding, constructionOil & gas, pipeline, refineries
Industry UsageConstruction, manufacturing, shipbuildingEnergy, petrochemical, utilities

Plate welders and pipe welders both require similar certifications and often work in related industries. However, plate welders focus on welding large steel plates used in structures and ships, while pipe welders specialize in joining pipes for pipelines and fluid systems. Their skills overlap, but their work environments and specific applications differ.

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

To thrive as a Plate Welder, you need strong skills in welding techniques, blueprint reading, and metal fabrication, usually supported by a high school diploma and welding certification (such as AWS or equivalent). Familiarity with welding equipment, safety protocols, and inspection systems is essential. Attention to detail, manual dexterity, and effective communication help Plate Welders produce high-quality work and collaborate with team members. These skills are crucial for ensuring structural integrity, workplace safety, and efficient project completion.

What are some common challenges a plate welder may face on the job, and how can they overcome them?

Plate Welders often encounter challenges such as working with thick materials that require precise heat control and managing weld distortion due to high temperatures. Additionally, maintaining consistent weld quality during long shifts and in varying positions can be demanding. To overcome these challenges, Plate Welders should continually refine their welding techniques, stay updated on safety practices, and communicate effectively with their team to troubleshoot issues quickly. Regular training and adherence to industry standards also help in achieving high-quality results.
More about Plate Welder jobs
What states have the most Plate Welder jobs? States with the most job openings for Plate Welder jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Plate Welder jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Plate Welder jobs are:
Plate Welder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Plate Welder job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 72% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $49,837 per year, or $24 per hour.

FCAW Plate Welder - 1st Class NIGHTS

Gulf Copper & Mfg. Corp. and Sabine Surveyors Ltd.

Galveston, TX • On-site

$20.25 - $26.50/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 14 days ago

Job description

Plate Welder 1st Class (PLW1) - Welder capable of welding SMAW & FCAW on plate/structural with ABS Q2+4G or ASME or AWS plate test (2G+3G+4G).
Company Overview:
Gulf Copper LLC, a subsidiary of Davie Defense, is a leading Marine Repair and New Construction company based in Galveston, Texas, with more than 75 years of ship repair and fabrication experience on the Gulf Coast. Gulf Copper's primary business is the repair and refurbishment of marine vessels, ship construction, and fabrication for transportation, government, and oil and gas markets.
Benefits:
  • 401 (k)
  • Group Health & Dental Plan
  • Short-& Long-Term Disability Insurance
  • Life & Voluntary Life Insurance
  • Holiday & Vacation Pay
  • Employee Assistance Program

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
This position is responsible for the following: Other duties may be assigned.
  1. A welder must understand welding procedures and parameters.
  2. Can comprehend and utilize blueprints, sketches, drawings, and technical. Manuals, gouge, and work process instruction.
  3. Welds steel plates and pipes in the repair and/or construction of marine vessels, industrial components, and associated equipment.
  4. Have the skills to use various types of welding equipment for different types of metal.
  5. Welds components in a flat, vertical, or overhead position.
  6. Performs related tasks such as cutting and grinding.
  7. Repairs broken or cracked parts, fills holes, and increases the size of metal parts.
  8. Welds metal parts together using gas welding, brazing, arc welding, wire fed welding, or tig welding process and procedures.
  9. Highly skilled welders often are trained to work with a wide variety of materials, such as titanium, aluminum, or exotic metals, in addition to steel.
  10. Select and set up welding equipment, execute the planned welds, and examine the welds to ensure that they meet standards or specifications.

Required Education & Experience:
  1. High School Diploma, some college or technical school certification, six months to one year(s) experience or equivalent combination of education and experience.
  2. Must pass an ABS, or ASME weld test.

Working Conditions:
  1. Open-air conditions such as noisy, hot, cold, etc.
  2. Must be able to stand and operate equipment for up to four continuous hours.
  3. You must wear hearing, eye, head protection and proper PPE.
  4. Some climbing (100 feet or higher) and lifting (50 lbs.) involved.
  5. Working with hot and sometimes hazardous materials.
  6. Work on inland and offshore barges or in industrial settings.
  7. Enter round manholes with inside diameters of 18", and other internally confined spaces.
  8. Traverse gangways and scaffolding at varying heights.

Necessary Equipment Operation:
  1. Blow torches- Motorized cutting torches; Pattern cutting torches; Welding torches.
  2. Gas welding, brazing, or cutting apparatus- Brazing equipment; Heliarc welding equipment; Oxyacetylene equipment; Portable gas operated arc welders.
  3. Manlift or personnel lift- hydraulic truck lifts; Swing stages
  4. Welding masks- Hand shields; Welding shields.

Special Skills:
  1. Ability to work under deadlines and schedule pressures.
  2. Ability to read and interpret blueprints, sketches, drawings, and technical manuals.
  3. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
  4. High performance and a strong team player.
  5. Commitment to company values and safety program.

Welder Position Basic Requirements:
Qualifications of class - Class will be based upon judgment by quality control and/or production management in terms of the quality and productivity of the welds.
  • Plate Welder 2nd Class (PLW2) - Welder capable of welding SMAW or FCAW on plate/structural with ABS Q2+4G or ASME or AWS plate test (2G+3G+4G).
  • Plate Welder 1st Class (PLW1) - Welder capable of welding SMAW & FCAW on plate/structural with ABS Q2+4G or ASME or AWS plate test (2G+3G+4G).
  • Pipe Welder 2nd Class (PPW2) - Welder capable of welding SMAW or FCAW on plate/structural &SMAW or FCAW on pipe with ABS Q3 or AWS 6g pipe test.
  • Pipe Welder 1st Class (PPW1) - Welder capable of welding SMAW & FCAW and or GTAW on pipe. Must Pass ABS Q3 or ASME 6G or AWS 6G pipe test.
  • Combination Welder 1st Class- Pipe/Plate/Structural (PPLW)- Welder capable of process / structural pipe and plate welding using GTAW+FCAW and or GTAW+SMAW.
  • Combination Welder 2nd Class- Pipe/Plate/Structural (PPLW)- Welder capable of process / structural pipe and plate welding using GTAW+FCAW and or GTAW+SMAW.

The statements herein are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as a comprehensive list of all responsibilities, duties, and skills required of assigned personnel.
*Descriptions followed by an asterisk indicate daily or more frequent responsibilities.

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