Welding inspectors offer expert opinions on the caliber of the welding performed on a particular project. Based on their expertise and training in the welding industry, they determine this by visually inspecting and testing the welds.
In this article, we will show you the welding inspector salary and how to go about it.
Also read: All You Need to Know About Building Inspector Jobs
Roles that they hold
Those who work as welding inspectors frequently have the following duties:
- Examine items that have undergone welding to gauge the final product’s quality and durability.
- Give finished welds a formal seal of approval to attest to their safety and structural integrity.
- Create reports and finish the necessary paperwork for welding inspections.
Doing the Job
Welding inspectors offer a professional evaluation of the caliber of the welding performed on a particular project and are most frequently used by commercial and industrial construction companies. Based on their expertise and training in the welding industry, they determine this by visually inspecting and testing the welds. To support their assessments, welding inspectors will have a working grasp of mathematics and comprehension of structural concepts.
Welding inspectors are utilized in a variety of settings, including public works, machines, and even airplanes, to assess welding repairs and other duties. They inspect each situation to make sure that safety and structural integrity are there and up to standards that are acceptable. The evaluation of building plans to spot potential problems before construction starts is another skill that welding inspectors are trained in.
The second aspect of a welding inspector’s employment is located inside an office, even though the majority of their time is spent in the field performing assessments. Writing reports that discuss the security and caliber of the welding work that has been carried out on a certain project is required for this step. These reports serve as the foundation for legal responsibility in situations when substandard work results in accidents or other issues because the inspector’s duty is to render a professional opinion regarding whether the welding is up to standards or not.
Regular Work Hours
Commonly full-time positions, welding inspector duties are carried out during regular business hours. However, the working hours might vary by business and industry, and some companies in this field may insist on odd working hours, including nights and weekends.
Common Employers
Construction and manufacturing companies are the most likely to hire welding inspectors. They might check welds for businesses that put metal together, or they might check welds for businesses that make airplanes and other metal items.
Getting Started as a Welding Inspector
A person must first have either conventional welding training or experience, both of which are equally appropriate for an inspection role, in order to become a welder inspector. For the former, a 1-2 year program of study in a technical school will instruct students in the fundamentals of arc welding, fabrication, and reading blueprints. Entry-level welding positions are accessible in a variety of various industries, including construction and industrial production, and all of these abilities are also available as part of on-the-job training.
A welding inspector needs to be certified by the American Welding Society, just like other kinds of welders must (AWS). There are various levels of certification, and the achievement of Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) confers formal status. Before taking the certification exam, which covers a wide range of welding concepts, including welding code, application techniques, and welding fundamentals, typically between three and four years of experience are needed.
A CWI has the option to get secondary endorsements that broaden the scope of welding jobs that can be performed if they want to improve their skills and expertise. A welding inspector can add endorsements for railroads, bridges, and other specialized structures to their resume. A welder inspector will be given an endorsement card and a certificate confirming their passing of the test for each endorsement they complete.
Data on salaries for Welding Inspectors
You can read the information below to find out more about this profession. The editorial material and recommendations on this page are based on our research, while the pay and growth data on this page are based on Bureau of Labor Statistics data that was just published. The average national salary is $60,030 and the average hourly wage is $29.
How does a Welding Inspector Salary compare to that of other jobs?
According to the most recent data on employment across the country, weld inspectors can earn an average annual salary of $60,030, or $29 per hour. When just starting out or depending on the state you live in, they may make as little as $44,490, or $21 per hour.
How has the growth of Welding Inspector employment compared to other jobs?
For a total of 109,200 people employed in the career nationwide by 2024, 8,000 jobs will change. This represents a 7.9% change in growth over the following 10 years, giving the career an above-average growth rate nationally.
