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X18 Welder Jobs (NOW HIRING)

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available Virtual/Telework Opportunity:

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

Welder - Hiring Now

Newport News, VA · On-site

$74K - $85K/yr

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

Welder - Hiring Now

Newport News, VA · On-site

$83K - $85K/yr

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available Virtual/Telework Opportunity:

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available Virtual/Telework Opportunity:

Welder - Hiring Now

Newport News, VA · On-site

$83K - $85K/yr

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available Virtual/Telework Opportunity:

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available Virtual/Telework Opportunity:

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

Welder - Hiring Now

Newport News, VA · On-site

$59K - $62K/yr

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available Virtual/Telework Opportunity:

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

Welder - Hiring Now

Newport News, VA · On-site

$74K - $85K/yr

X18 WELDERS Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes Full-Time Shift: Multiple Relocation: No relocation assistance available Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No ...

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Showing results 1-20

X18 Welder information

See salary details

$14

$22

$31

How much do x18 welder jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average hourly pay for x18 welder in the United States is $22.26, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $18.75 and $24.76 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

Can you make $300,000 as a welder?

Earning $300,000 annually as a welder is possible but typically requires extensive experience, specialized skills such as pipe or underwater welding, high-demand certifications, and working in high-paying industries or locations. Most welders earn between $40,000 and $70,000 per year, with top earners in niche fields reaching higher salaries.

Do welders make $100 an hour?

X18 welders typically do not earn $100 an hour; most welders' wages depend on experience, location, and specialization. While highly skilled or specialized welders in certain industries or with certifications can earn higher wages, the average hourly rate for welders is generally below $100. Factors such as overtime, union membership, and working conditions can influence earnings but reaching $100 an hour is uncommon for most welding roles.

What is the difference between X18 Welder vs X20 Pipe Welder?

AspectX18 WelderX20 Pipe Welder
CertificationsAWS Certified Welder, specific to X18 standardsSame certifications, with additional pipe welding certifications
Work EnvironmentConstruction sites, manufacturing plantsOil & gas, pipeline projects, industrial facilities
Job FocusGeneral welding tasks, structural weldingSpecialized pipe welding, precision work

The X18 Welder and X20 Pipe Welder roles share many certifications and work environments but differ mainly in specialization. The X20 Pipe Welder focuses on pipe welding in industrial settings, requiring additional skills and certifications. Both roles are essential in construction and manufacturing industries, but the X20 Pipe Welder's expertise is more specialized for pipeline projects.

Why do welders drink milk after welding?

Welders often drink milk after welding because it helps soothe the throat and reduce irritation caused by inhaling welding fumes and gases. Milk contains proteins that can coat the throat and provide temporary relief from dryness or soreness common in welding environments.

What welding jobs pay $50 an hour?

X18 welders with specialized skills, certifications, and experience in industrial or construction settings can earn around $50 an hour or more. High-paying welding jobs often require certifications such as AWS or ASME, experience with heavy equipment, and the ability to work in demanding environments or overtime schedules.
More about X18 Welder jobs
What cities are hiring for X18 Welder jobs? Cities with the most X18 Welder job openings:
What states have the most X18 Welder jobs? States with the most job openings for X18 Welder jobs include:
Infographic showing various X18 Welder job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 91% Full Time, 2% Part Time, 3% Contract, and 4% Nights. Highlights an 100% Physical job distribution, with an average salary of $46,302 per year, or $22.3 per hour.

Welder - Manufacturing

HII

Newport News, VA • On-site

$83K - $85K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted yesterday


Huntington Ingalls Industries rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Huntington Ingalls Industries

Based on 147 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

7.4

Company rating compared to similar companies: 7.4 out of 10

Manufacturers average

Based on 74,658 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

WELDER/PIPE EXPERIENCED - 10+ YEARS REQUIRED
Location:
Newport News, Virginia, United States
Date: Jul 29, 2026
Req ID: 47500
Team: X18 WELDERS
Entity: Newport News Shipbuilding
US Citizenship Required for this Position: Yes
Full-Time
Shift: Multiple
Relocation: Relocation assistance will be available
Virtual/Telework Opportunity: No - Not eligible for telework
Travel Requirements: No
Clearance Required: No - Clearance Not Required to Start
Salary Range: $83,491.20 to $85,196.80
The anticipated salary range represents the estimated base pay for this role. Final compensation will be determined based on experience, qualifications, and other job-related factors, and may vary from the posted range
Meet HII's Newport News Shipbuilding
With more than 25,000 employees - including third-, fourth- and even fifth-generation shipbuilders - HII's Newport News Shipbuilding (NNS) division is the largest industrial employer in Virginia. We're the sole designer, builder and refueler of U.S. Navy nuclear aircraft carriers and one of two providers of U.S. Navy nuclear submarines. Our diverse and innovative team of professionals ranges from skilled trades to project managers, engineers and software developers to solution architects, technical subject matter experts, and system users. We collaborate together at the forefront of technology, manufacturing, and integration of the most powerful and survivable naval ships in the world. Want to be part of the team? Apply today! We look forward to meeting you.
The Role
Newport News Shipbuilding, a division of Huntington Ingalls Industries, is seeking qualified pipe welders, with a minimum of 10 years of hands on PIPE WELDING work experience.
Newport News Shipbuilding offers competitive pay, weekly paychecks, paid time off, paid holidays, medical benefits including an on-site health center, 401K company match, employee discounts, and more. NNS is also offering a $5,000.00 lump sum payment for relocation assistance and a $5,000.00 sign-on bonus.
As a Welder, you will first be qualified through the shipyards state of the art Welding School. After completion of Welding School, you will use a wide range of welding filler metals and welding processes to perform structural and/or pipe welds in all phases of ship construction. Welders perform tack, fillet, and full penetration welding on steel foundations and structural and pipe joints in production on aircraft carriers and submarines. This will be done using various welding processes including SMAW (Shielded Metal Arc Welding), FCAW (Flux Cored Arc Welding), GMAW (Gas Metal Arc Welding), and GTAW (Gas Tungsten Arc Welding). These welds are made in all positions using both manual and mechanized processes and will satisfy all nondestructive tests requirements (visual inspection, magnetic particle inspection, ultrasonic inspection, radiographic inspection). Welders will also receive additional training including certified visual inspection, fire watch, carbon arcing, and troubleshooting minor welding equipment problems.
Watch this Welder video to learn more: https://youtu.be/FETHnJ854Qs?si=HS0UmOkcAxVuILrS
Must Have
Candidates must have a minimum 10 years of PIPE WELDING experience.
Candidates must have previously worked for NNS for a minimum of 1.5 years.
Must be able to take measurements or be willing to learn.
Must be able to work assigned shift as production needs.
Must be able to work at extreme heights or small confined spaces.
Must be able to kneel, squat, crawl, bend, stoop, and climb.
Must be able to lift 40 lbs and must take and pass a respirator fit test.
Must be able to work indoors/outdoors year round in all weather conditions.
Must be able to pass Physical Agility Test.
Must be able to perform overhead work.
Must be able to work overtime as needed.
Must be willing to undergo a background investigation and drug screen.
Nice to Have
High school graduate or equivalent preferred
Why HII
We build the world's most powerful, survivable naval ships and defense technology solutions that safeguard our seas, sky, land, space and cyber. HII's diverse workforce includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence, machine learning (AI/ML) experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals.
Recognized as one of America's top large company employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Regardless of your role or where you serve, at HII, you'll find a supportive and welcoming environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs for continual career growth at every stage of your career.
Working at HII is more than a job - it's an opportunity to build a future. We offer comprehensive benefits including: medical, prescription drug, dental and vision plan choices, on-site health centers, tele-medicine, wellness resources, employee assistance programs, savings plan options (401K), financial education and planning tools, life insurance, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, early childhood and post-secondary education scholarships, and more. Some benefits may vary depending on your specific division or work location.
Together we are working to ensure a future where everyone can be free and thrive.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, physical or mental disability, age, or veteran status or any other basis protected by federal, state, or local law. U.S. Citizenship may be required for certain positions.
Do You Need Assistance?
If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [email protected] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Reasonable accommodations are considered on a case-by-case basis. Please note that only those inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this e-mail address.
Additionally, you may also call 1-844-849-8463 for assistance. Press #2 for Newport News Shipbuilding.

Working at Huntington Ingalls Industries

About Huntington Ingalls Industries, in their own words

From Huntington Ingalls Industries

Our 44,000-strong team includes skilled tradespeople; artificial intelligence and machine learning experts; engineers; technologists; scientists; logistics experts; and business administration professionals. Recognized as one of America's top large employers, we are a values and ethics driven organization that puts people's safety and well-being first. Here you'll find a collaborative environment, competitive benefits, and valuable educational and training programs that span our shipbuilding apprentice schools in Virginia and Mississippi to tuition reimbursement programs that support continual career growth at every stage of your career.

Our values of integrity, safety, respect, engagement, responsibility and performance are the foundation of HII's ethical culture that inspires employees to do the right thing each day, regardless of the circumstances.


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