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Ship Welding Jobs (NOW HIRING)

HII

ENGINEER WELDING 4

Newport News, VA

$155K - $195K/yr

E37 WELDING ENGINEERING Entity ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: 1st ...

Avail Staffing Company

Ship Fitter 007

Norfolk, VA

$26 - $29/hr

As a Ship Fitter, you will perform steel and aluminum structural work on a variety of marine ... Proficient in reading and interpreting structural drawings, including weld symbols and Navy damage ...

HII

ENGINEER WELDING 4

Newport News, VA

$155K - $195K/yr

E37 WELDING ENGINEERING Entity ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: 1st ...

Hutco Inc

Ship Fitter

Houma, LA

$24/hr

Ship Fitters Job Location: Houma, La. Hutco Branch: Houma, La. Pay Rate: $24.00 per hour ... Fits pipe and properly prepares joints for welding to meet the specific requirements of the system ...

Hutco Inc

Ship Fitter

Houma, LA · On-site

$24/hr

Ship Fitters Job Location: Houma, La. Hutco Branch: Houma, La. Pay Rate: $24.00 per hour ... Fits pipe and properly prepares joints for welding to meet the specific requirements of the system ...

HII

ENGINEER WELDING 3

Newport News, VA

$124K - $156K/yr

E37 WELDING ENGINEERING Entity ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: 1st ...

HII

ENGINEER WELDING 2

Newport News, VA · On-site

$96K - $121K/yr

E37 WELDING ENGINEERING Entity ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: 1st ...

HII

ENGINEER WELDING 3

Newport News, VA

$124K - $156K/yr

E37 WELDING ENGINEERING Entity ... Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: 1st ...

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Ship Welding information

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$14

$29

$45

How much do ship welding jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for ship welding in the United States is $29.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $34.13 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much do cruise ship welders make?

Cruise ship welders typically earn between $50,000 and $80,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and the employer. They often work in shipyards or onboard ships, using skills in underwater and structural welding, with some positions offering overtime pay or per diem allowances.

What are some common challenges ship welders face when working on vessels, and how can they be managed?

Ship welders often work in tight, confined spaces and may have to weld in awkward positions or in challenging environments, such as outdoors or at heights. These conditions can make it difficult to achieve high-quality welds and can also impact safety. To manage these challenges, shipyards prioritize safety training, provide specialized equipment, and encourage teamwork so welders can support each other during complex tasks. Staying adaptable and maintaining strong communication with supervisors and team members are key to overcoming obstacles and ensuring efficient, safe work.

What is ship welding?

Ship welding is the process of joining metal parts together to construct or repair ships and other marine vessels. This work is typically done in shipyards, where welders use various welding techniques such as MIG, TIG, flux-cored, and arc welding to assemble and maintain the ship’s hull, decks, and internal structures. Ship welders must follow strict safety and quality standards to ensure the vessel's structural integrity and seaworthiness. The job often involves working in challenging environments, both indoors and outdoors, and may require specialized certifications.

How much do boat welders make?

Boat welders, or ship welders, typically earn between $40,000 and $70,000 annually, depending on experience, certifications, and location. Skilled welders with specialized certifications and experience working in shipyards or on large vessels can earn higher wages and may work overtime or on projects with premium pay rates.

Can welders work on ships?

Ship welders, a specialized type of welders, work on ships and maritime structures, performing welding tasks in shipyards or onboard vessels. They often require certifications such as AWS or ASME and must follow safety protocols in confined or challenging environments. Their work involves welding metals like steel and aluminum using techniques such as MIG, TIG, or stick welding.

Can you make $300,000 as a welder?

Ship welders with extensive experience, specialized skills, and certifications such as ASME or AWS can potentially earn salaries approaching or exceeding $300,000 annually, especially in high-demand sectors or with overtime. However, such high earnings are uncommon and typically require working in offshore or remote environments, often with hazardous conditions and long hours.

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

To thrive as a Ship Welder, you need proficiency in welding techniques (such as MIG, TIG, and arc welding), blueprint reading, and a solid understanding of metal fabrication, often supported by a welding certification or apprenticeship. Familiarity with shipyard safety protocols, specialized welding equipment, and inspection systems is typically required. Attention to detail, problem-solving ability, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for delivering precise work and maintaining safety standards. These skills are vital to ensure structural integrity, meet regulatory requirements, and support efficient shipbuilding or repair operations.

What is the difference between Ship Welding vs Ship Fitting?

AspectShip WeldingShip Fitting
CertificationsWelding certifications (e.g., AWS, CWS)Fitting and assembly certifications
Work EnvironmentWelding on ship structures, often outdoors or in shipyardsAssembling ship components, often indoors or in shipyards
Job RoleJoining metal parts through welding processesFitting, aligning, and installing ship parts
Industry UsageCommon in shipbuilding and repairCommon in ship construction and maintenance

Ship Welding and Ship Fitting are both essential in shipbuilding, but they focus on different skills. Ship Welding involves joining metal parts through welding techniques, requiring specific certifications. Ship Fitting centers on assembling and fitting ship components, often requiring fitting and blueprint reading skills. Both roles work closely in shipyards and share similar environments, but their primary tasks differ significantly.

More about Ship Welding jobs
What cities are hiring for Ship Welding jobs? Cities with the most Ship Welding job openings:
What states have the most Ship Welding jobs? States with the most job openings for Ship Welding jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Ship Welding jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Ship Welding jobs are:
Ship Welding jobs near you
Infographic showing various Ship Welding job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 92% Full Time, 7% Part Time, and 1% Temporary. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,961 per year, or $29.8 per hour.
Hiring Ship Fitters / Solicitando Ship Fitters

Hiring Ship Fitters / Solicitando Ship Fitters

Labor One Staffing

San Juan, PR

Other

Posted 18 days ago

Job description

Labor One Staffing is now Hiring Ship Fitters for Florida Shipyard
Ship Fitters
Please call for full details

  • Clara (850)252-3345
  • Edna (281)965-2749
  • Leeann (956) 382-2631

This position is responsible for performing, with minimal supervision, steel structural work in all stages of new construction of marine vessels.

The position requires a working knowledge of procedures, strong mechanical aptitude and ability to read blueprints and be able to follow directions.

The individual must possess experience in the trade, knowledge of ship terminology, blueprint reading, measurements, and the ability to interpret job specifications and drawings.

The qualifications and general capabilities listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and ability desired by the shipyard.

Long term project

Housing assistance available

Great Hours with overtime pay

M-Th = 10 hours / Fri = 8 hours PLUS some Sats & Sun

Per-diem available for those that qualify

Call Clara for full details – (787) 360-2397

Se habla español Hable hoy!!!

Estamos contrando Shipfitters/ Fitters de estructura para Shipyard en Florida.

Se debe de leer planos, tener experiencia en construccion de barcos.

QUALIFICATIONS AND EXPERIENCE

  • Ability to comprehend instructions, drawings, and general correspondence.
  • Comprehensive understanding of ship new construction terminology and ship compartment location nomenclature.
  • Be physically and medically capable of wearing all required personal protective equipment (PPE) required for the job as prescribed under OSHA standards. PPE includes hard hat, safety glasses, steel toe shoes, goggles, respirator, safety harness, safety line, flotation gear, etc.)
  • Ability to effectively confer job related information to the structural supervisor and small groups.
  • Ability to read and interpret structural drawings (including weld symbols), sketches, specifications.
  • Experience fabricating templates, squaring plates, scribing in structures, and installing perpendiculars on ships in accordance with drawings, specifications, or sketches.
  • Experience using oxy-acetylene torch and Plasma for cutting and washing.
  • Experience using hand and power tools safely including but not limited to mauls, grinders, circular and reciprocating saws, and hand and magnetic drill.
  • Understand the proper use and operation of structural shop fabrication equipment, including shears, punches, come alongs and brakes.
  • Ability to add, subtract, multiply, and divide whole numbers, fractions, and decimals using US customary measurement system.
  • Possess a working knowledge of, and be able to take measurements using the metric system.
  • Three (3) years of related experience.
  • Must comply with OSHA standards and Shipyard best safety practices.
  • Appropriate PPE must always be worn.
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About Labor One Staffing

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Labor One specializes in matching skilled craft laborers with marine and industrial services needs throughout Texas, Alabama, Florida, South Carolina, Virginia and California. We ensure our clients receive the right candidates they need, while providing reliable work to our wide network of talent. At Labor One, our mission is to create partnerships between clients and staff within the marine and industrial services fields in order to create greater productivity and satisfaction for both. By utilizing a unique recruitment process, our mission is to create a wide network of vetted and qualified talent from which we can draw in order to create these mutually beneficial relationships. We envision, and are implementing, staffing solutions that deliver skilled, timely, and affordable labor to our clients. We also envision, and are implementing, a recruitment process that prepares job candidates for placement in jobs where their skills and training are useful, valued, and rewarded.

Industry

Recruiting and staffing services

Company size

201 - 500 Employees

Headquarters location

Brownsville, TX, US

Social media

Facebook

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