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Refinery Welder Jobs in Riverside, CA (NOW HIRING)

Pen Manufacturing

Senior Welder - (1st Shift)

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$20.50 - $27/hr

Opportunities to grow and refine your expertise in advanced welding techniques. If you're passionate about precision welding and ready to work in an environment that challenges and rewards your ...

Pen Manufacturing

Senior Welder - (2nd Shift)

Anaheim, CA · On-site

$20.75 - $25.25/hr

Opportunities to grow and refine your expertise in advanced welding techniques. If you're passionate about precision welding and ready to work in an environment that challenges and rewards your ...

Aerotek

Maintenance Mechanic Technician

Riverside, CA

$25.75 - $33.50/hr

Research, develop, and refine maintenance procedures when working with new equipment installations ... Experience working with robotic welders and manual welding equipment. * Experience maintaining and ...

Crane Company

Project Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA · On-site

$81K - $110K/yr

Fabrication awareness - Working knowledge of welding, soldering, and manufacturing processes ... gas, refining, and power generation. #LI-VD1 #CPE Salary range: $81,100 to $110,000. Several ...

Crane Company

Project Engineer

Jurupa Valley, CA · Hybrid

$81K - $110K/yr

Fabrication awareness - Working knowledge of welding, soldering, and manufacturing processes ... gas, refining, and power generation. #LI-VD1 #CPE Salary range: $81,100 to $110,000. Several ...

Chemical Guys

Maintenance Technician

Fontana, CA · On-site

$32 - $38/hr

... refine the industry while having fun and smiling along with you. So, grab a wash mitt, some soap ... Speed is aerodynamic elegance at its finest; the brilliant artistry of curved metal sheets welded ...

Urgent

Bender CCP

Field Service Machinist

Corona, CA · On-site

$28/hr

Work in industrial environments such as power plants, refineries, shipyards, and manufacturing ... Welding or fabrication experience is a plus * OSHA certifications or safety training Physical ...

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All JobsRefinery Welder JobsRefinery Welder Jobs in Riverside, CA

Refinery Welder information

See Riverside, CA salary details

$17

$27

$35

How much do refinery welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for refinery welder in Riverside, CA is $27.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $30.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What Does a Refinery Welder Do?

A refinery welder focuses on the repair, installation, and extension of pipes and structural components using various welding techniques. In this career, you handle pipe fitting responsibilities and weld pipes that carry oil and gas products to, from, and within a refinery. You may also have welding duties related to tanks and other refinery equipment. After you join a pipe or make a weld, you need to inspect your work to ensure that it meets the safety regulations set out by the industry. Most inspections involve using x-ray equipment to check for a quality weld. Refinery welders often operate during shutdown periods.

What are some common safety challenges faced by refinery welders, and how are they addressed on the job?

Refinery welders often work in environments with hazardous materials, high temperatures, and confined spaces, making safety a top priority. Common challenges include exposure to toxic fumes, the risk of fire or explosion, and physical hazards from heavy equipment. To address these, welders undergo rigorous safety training, use specialized personal protective equipment (PPE), and follow strict safety protocols specific to refineries. Regular safety briefings and close collaboration with safety officers help ensure hazards are identified and mitigated before work begins.

What is the difference between Refinery Welder vs Pipefitter?

AspectRefinery WelderPipefitter
CertificationsWelding certifications (e.g., AWS, ASME)Pipefitting certifications, OSHA safety training
Work EnvironmentRefineries, chemical plants, industrial sitesConstruction sites, industrial plants, refineries
Job FocusWelding pipes, tanks, and structural componentsInstalling, assembling, and maintaining piping systems

Refinery Welders and Pipefitters often work in similar industrial environments and require overlapping certifications. While Refinery Welders focus on welding tasks within refineries, Pipefitters specialize in installing and maintaining piping systems. Both roles are essential in industrial and refinery settings, but their specific skills and tasks differ slightly.

Can you make $300,000 as a welder?

Refinery welders with extensive experience, specialized skills, and certifications such as ASME or AWS can potentially earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially with overtime, high-demand projects, or supervisory roles. However, such high earnings are uncommon and typically require years of experience, working in remote or hazardous environments, and often involve unionized or highly specialized positions.

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

To thrive as a Refinery Welder, you need expertise in welding techniques, blueprint reading, metallurgy, and typically a high school diploma or GED with welding certification. Familiarity with welding tools, safety systems, and certifications like AWS (American Welding Society) or NCCER are often required. Attention to detail, safety awareness, and strong teamwork are crucial soft skills for this role. These skills and qualities ensure welds meet strict safety and quality standards, which is vital for maintaining refinery operations and preventing hazardous incidents.

What welding jobs pay $50 an hour?

Refinery welders and other skilled welders working in industrial settings can earn around $50 an hour, especially with specialized certifications like ASME or AWS and experience in pipe welding or heavy equipment. Wages vary based on location, experience, and the complexity of the work, with overtime often increasing total earnings.

What does a refinery welder do?

A refinery welder is responsible for joining metal parts and structures in oil refineries using welding techniques such as arc, MIG, or TIG welding. They work in challenging environments, often requiring knowledge of safety protocols, and may need certifications like AWS or ASME. Their tasks include repairing, maintaining, and fabricating metal components to ensure refinery operations run safely and efficiently.

How to make $100,000 a year as a welder?

Refinery welders can earn $100,000 or more annually by gaining extensive experience, obtaining specialized certifications such as ASME or AWS, and working overtime or on high-demand shifts. High-paying opportunities often require working in remote or hazardous environments and demonstrating advanced skills in pipe welding, structural welding, or underwater welding.
More about Refinery Welder jobs
What are popular job titles related to Refinery Welder jobs in Riverside, CA? For Refinery Welder jobs in Riverside, CA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Refinery Welder jobs in Riverside, CA look for? The top searched job categories for Refinery Welder jobs in Riverside, CA are:
What cities near Riverside, CA are hiring for Refinery Welder jobs? Cities near Riverside, CA with the most Refinery Welder job openings:
Refinery Welder jobs near you
Infographic showing various Refinery Welder job openings in Riverside, CA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 92% Full Time, 4% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $56,505 per year, or $27.2 per hour.

Aerospace Welder (NDT Certification)

APM Manufacturing

Orange, CA • On-site

$30 - $50/hr

Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

Job description

Pay range-$30-$50/hr DOE

Core Responsibilities

  • Testing Operations: Perform NDT methods—such as Ultrasonic (UT), Magnetic Particle (MT), Dye Penetrant (PT), or Radiographic (RT) testing—to detect internal and external weld flaws (e.g., cracks, porosity, or lack of fusion).
  • Equipment Management: Calibrate, maintain, and troubleshoot specialized inspection and testing equipment to ensure accuracy and reliability.
  • Code Compliance: Review blueprints, welding symbols, and Welding Procedure Specifications (WPS) to verify that welding operations align with codes set by the American Welding Society or other regulatory bodies.
  • Reporting: Document findings, generate formal inspection reports, and identify non-conforming work requiring repair or remediation.
  • Field & Lab Work: Collaborate with project managers, structural engineers, and welders across construction sites, manufacturing plants, shipyards, or refineries.

Key Qualifications

  • Welding Proficiency: Background in structural welding processes like GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, or FCAW.
  • NDT Certifications: ASNT (American Society for Nondestructive Testing) Level II or III certifications in specific testing disciplines (VT, MT, PT, UT, RT).
  • Inspection Credentials: Often requires or highly values an AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) credential.
  • Blueprint Reading: Strong ability to interpret engineering drawings, welding symbols, and technical specifications.
  • Safety Knowledge:

Requirements

MANDATORY QUALIFICATIONS:

Fusion Welding for Aerospace Applications Specifications.

Experience working with 0.010-0.030 tolerances is a MUST

Basic understanding of welding symbols per AWS 2.4

Basic blueprint reading

Ability to read and comprehend simple instructions, short correspondence, and memos in English.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE:

NDT Certification

Looking for minimum 5 years experience as welder or

supervisor’s approval of welding test plates.

Benefits

  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Employee discount
  • Flexible spending account
  • Health insurance
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Parental leave
  • Retirement plan
  • Vision insurance