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Senior Welding Inspector Jobs in Sergeant Bluff, IA

Senior Welding Inspector information

See Sergeant Bluff, IA salary details

$31.2K

$76.9K

$135.4K

How much do senior welding inspector jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for senior welding inspector in Sergeant Bluff, IA is $76,910.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $55,700.00 and $96,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a senior welding inspector?

Senior Welding Inspectors are experienced professionals responsible for overseeing and ensuring the quality and safety of welding work on construction or manufacturing projects. They inspect welds for compliance with industry standards, project specifications, and safety regulations, often using both visual checks and advanced testing methods. In addition to evaluating welds, they may supervise other inspectors, document findings, and provide guidance on welding procedures to ensure that all work meets required codes and standards. Their expertise helps prevent structural failures and ensures the integrity of welded components.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a senior welding inspector, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Senior Welding Inspector, you need in-depth knowledge of welding processes, codes and standards (such as AWS, ASME, or ISO), and significant hands-on inspection experience, often backed by certifications like CSWIP or CWI. Familiarity with non-destructive testing (NDT) methods, inspection documentation systems, and relevant software tools is typically required. Attention to detail, strong communication, and leadership skills help inspectors manage teams and clearly report findings. These skills ensure weld quality, safety compliance, and the successful delivery of critical infrastructure or industrial projects.

What are some common challenges faced by a senior welding inspector and how can they be addressed?

Senior Welding Inspectors often encounter challenges such as ensuring compliance with multiple codes and standards, managing tight project schedules, and handling communication between various stakeholders on-site. Addressing these challenges typically involves staying updated with industry regulations, maintaining detailed inspection records, and fostering clear communication among welders, engineers, and project managers. Proactively participating in team meetings and continuous professional development can also help inspectors stay effective and adaptable in dynamic work environments.

What is the difference between Senior Welding Inspector vs Welding Inspector?

AspectSenior Welding InspectorWelding Inspector
CertificationsASME, AWS, or equivalent; often more advanced or additional certificationsTypically AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or equivalent
Work EnvironmentOversees multiple projects, mentors staff, and handles complex inspectionsPerforms routine inspections on welding projects, often under supervision
ResponsibilitiesLeadership, quality assurance, complex problem-solvingInspection, documentation, ensuring compliance with standards

The main difference between a Senior Welding Inspector and a Welding Inspector lies in experience, responsibilities, and certification levels. Senior Welding Inspectors typically have more advanced certifications, oversee larger or more complex projects, and mentor junior staff, whereas Welding Inspectors focus on routine inspections and compliance tasks.

What cities near Sergeant Bluff, IA are hiring for Senior Welding Inspector jobs?

Cities near Sergeant Bluff, IA with the most Senior Welding Inspector job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Welding Inspector job openings in Sergeant Bluff, IA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 5% Part Time, 2% Contract, and 2% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $76,910 per year, or $37 per hour.

Sr Pipeline Technician (S. Sioux City, NE / Homer, NE)

Berkshire Hathaway Energy

South Sioux City, NE • On-site

$26.70 - $42.61/hr

Full-time

Re-posted 22 days ago


Berkshire Hathaway Energy rating

6.5

Company rating: 6.5 out of 10

Based on 18 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description


Northern Natural Gas offers a knowledge-based compensation program called Skill-Based Pay. Skill-Based Pay is a system that rewards employees for acquiring, demonstrating and maintaining work skills. In addition, Northern Natural Gas offers an annual discretionary incentive bonus up to 10.5%, based on individual and company performance
The goal of Skill-Based Pay is to ensure Northern Natural Gas has a qualified, versatile workforce that produces an extremely competitive product where needed in varying business, regulatory and operational climates. Employees are paid according to the skills demonstrated as well as the tasks performed.
In this system, Northern Natural Gas rewards personal initiative and pays for skills, rather than seniority. With a broader base of skills, employees can tackle new problems better and faster. Employees develop a wider view of the work at Northern Natural Gas and more fully understands the impact their decisions have at their work sites and for the entire company.
Ready to learn more about the role of a Pipeline Technician?
Pipeline Techs are multi-skilled employees who perform highly technical work within a geographical area on the largest interstate natural gas pipeline system in the United States. Positions will specialize in one or more of the following technical skills:
  • Controls - Install, maintain and troubleshoot programmable logic controllers, human machine interfaces, motor control centers, and medium and low voltage power distribution and pneumatic control devices utilized in pipeline operations.
  • Measurement - Program, maintain, operate and troubleshoot gas measurement equipment including gas meters, control valves, relief valves, regulators and associated software, as well as monitoring gas and quality control equipment.
  • Corrosion - Install, maintain and troubleshoot corrosion protection equipment to ensure pipeline integrity. NACE CP1 Tester certification is preferred.
  • Mechanical - Install, maintain, troubleshoot, overhaul and repair rotating and reciprocating compression equipment.
  • Liquified Natural Gas Operations - Ensure reliable operation and maintenance of processes required to make liquefied natural gas.
  • Underground Storage Operations - Ensure reliable operation and maintenance of processes required to store and deliver natural gas from underground reservoirs.
  • Compressor Station Operations - Ensure reliable operation of compressor station equipment.
  • Pipeline - Perform pigging operations, damage prevention measures and pipeline right of way maintenance.
  • Equipment Operation - Transport, inspect, maintain and operate various mobile heavy equipment including backhoes, boom trucks, semi-trucks, dump trucks, excavators, skid loaders, etc. Additional endorsements for hazmat and liquefied natural gas transportation are available.
  • Welding - Pipeline welders must be qualified in API 1104 and ASME standards to weld on natural gas pipelines. Structural welders must be qualified in AWS standards.
  • Environmental - Maintain environmental standards, environmental activities and regulatory compliance for assigned locations.

Responsibilities
  • Assist in performing scheduled preventative maintenance on operational equipment at assigned facility.
  • Recognizes abnormal operating conditions.
  • Supports emergency response.
  • Locate pipelines and oversee third-party excavation and line crossings. Install and inspect pipeline markers.
  • Operate work equipment including but not limited to power tools, hand tools, and specialized instruments used in pipeline operations, maintenance, and repair of facilities.
  • Maintain and operate facilities in compliance with specifications, codes, safety and environmental standards/records and company operating procedures.
  • Assist in maintaining records pursuant to required state, federal, and company procedures.
  • Review work assignments with the team to ensure work is completed with established safe work practices and reporting.
  • Contribute to a team-centric work environment based on mutual respect and integrity.
  • Support the Company's CHAMPION culture, which centers around personal responsibility, continuous improvement and delivering quality for our customers.

Qualifications
  • An Associate of Applied Science degree in a technical specialization is preferred. Ideal degrees include Associate of Applied Science in aviation maintenance, diesel, natural gas, compression, instrumentation, controls, electrical, electro-mechanical or corrosion.
  • A comparable undergraduate degree with a technical specialization certification is applicable. Typically four to six years of related, progressive work experience would be needed for candidates applying for this position who do not possess the education requirements.
  • Successful completion of Pipeline Technician Academy and/or achievement of at least one skill-block.
  • Must have a valid driver's license. Work schedules may vary with some positions requiring overtime and overnight stays away from home, on-call and rotating schedules and availability for emergency response call out 24 hours per day.
  • Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.

About Us
BHE Pipeline Group consists of Berkshire Hathaway Energy's interstate natural gas pipeline companies, BHE GT&S, Kern River Gas Transmission Company and Northern Natural Gas Company. Combined, BHE Pipeline Group operates approximately 21,200 miles of pipeline with a design capacity of approximately 21.1 billion cubic feet of natural gas per day, owns assets in 27 states and is an industry leader in natural gas transportation. BHE Pipeline Group also operates 22 natural gas storage facilities with a total working gas capacity of 515.6 billion cubic feet and a liquefied natural gas export, import and storage facility.
About the Team
Northern Natural Gas is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion or religious creed, age, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status (except as required by law), gender (including gender identity and expression), sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, genetic information, physical or mental disability, veteran or military status, familial or parental status, marital status or any other category protected by applicable local, state or U.S. federal law. Employees must be able to perform the essential functions of the position, with or without an accommodation.

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