Welder Resume Example
A welder resume that names the processes and materials you weld, the standards you work to and how your work held up under inspection.
How to write a welder resume that lands interviews
A great welder resume isn't a list of responsibilities — it's a tight stack of quantified outcomes, written in language an ATS scores and a human reader believes. Below: the 8 bullets a strong candidate uses, the 4 they avoid, the keywords the ATS expects, the pay figures to anchor your negotiation against, and the FAQs we hear most often.
Sample bullets — good vs weak
Each “good” bullet leads with the outcome, includes a measurable result, and shows scope. The “weak” versions describe activities without showing impact. Use these as templates; rewrite them in your own voice with your real numbers.
✅ Bullets that get the call
- Welded structural steel frames for light commercial buildings using flux-core and stick processes on carbon steel up to 1 inch thick.
- Passed visual and ultrasonic inspection on 96% of production welds over a year, with rework logged on every failure.
- TIG welded stainless steel food-grade fittings to the customer's drawing, keeping distortion within tolerance.
- Read shop drawings and weld symbols to fit up and weld 30 to 40 brackets per shift with minimal layout rework.
- Prepared joints by beveling, grinding and cleaning to meet the procedure on the weld map.
- Held a position in a welder qualification test in 3G and 4G with a pass on first attempt.
- Operated a plasma table and band saw to cut plate, reducing material waste through nested layouts.
- Followed hot work permits, fire watch and ventilation rules, with no recordable injuries on my team in 2 years.
❌ Bullets to rewrite
- Welded metal.
- Used welding machines.
- Detail-oriented and strong.
- Followed safety rules.
ATS keywords to weave into your bullets
The four-component ATS rubric weights keyword density inside experience bullets more heavily than the keywords-only skills section. These are the 14+ keywords most often scored on a welder resume — fold them into your bullets where they're honestly applicable.
Welder salary
Annual pay across the United States, as published by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Half of these workers earn between the 25th and 75th percentile figures. Your offer will depend on the state, the employer and the shift.
| Annual pay | Amount |
|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $39k |
| 25th percentile | $47k |
| Median | $54k |
| 75th percentile | $63k |
| 90th percentile | $78k |
Want a deeper salary breakdown by city + role + experience? See the full Welder salary guide →
Common mistakes (and how to fix them)
- Listing 'welding' without a processFix: Say MIG, TIG, stick or flux-core, with material and thickness.
- No standardsFix: Name the code or specification you worked to, such as AWS D1.1, if true.
- No quality evidenceFix: Add inspection results, rework rates or scrap reductions.
- Skipping layout skillsFix: Mention reading drawings and fit-up, which many shops need.
ATS tips specific to welder resumes
- Use the posting's process terms, such as 'GMAW' or 'GTAW' next to MIG and TIG.
- List certifications with issuing body, process and date.
- Include materials: carbon steel, stainless, aluminum.
- Mention shift flexibility if the posting lists multiple shifts.
Frequently asked questions
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Start freeAbout this guideThe ApplyVita Career Team — The ApplyVita Career Team builds the resume-scoring and job-matching tools at the core of ApplyVita. Our guidance is grounded in the same four-component ATS rubric our product scores resumes on — content and impact, keyword match, formatting, and skills — and in current recruiter and hiring-manager practice. Every guide is checked against that rubric before it is published, and updated as hiring norms change.