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Job Description

Pipe Welder

Job Summary

We are seeking a skilled Pipe Welder with a minimum of 3 years of experience to perform precision welding on stainless steel and copper-nickel piping using Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG) and Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW/stick welding) techniques. The ideal candidate will be able to pass a military-standard X-ray weld test in the restricted 6G position and have experience in demanding industrial or shipyard environments.

Responsibilities

Perform pipe welding using GTAW (TIG) for root passes and SMAW (stick) for fill and cap on various piping materials. Weld stainless steel and copper-nickel pipe to high-quality, X-ray standards in shipbuilding and marine environments. Read and interpret welding procedures, blueprints, and technical drawings accurately. Conduct welding in challenging positions and locations including heights, confined spaces, and varying weather conditions. Operate safely in a 24-hour shipyard production setting, adhering to all site-specific safety procedures and regulations. Perform pipe fit-up and ensure proper alignment, fit, and weld preparation. Collaborate with other trades to meet project timelines and production goals.

Requirements

Minimum of 3 years of verifiable pipe welding experience. Proficient in GTAW (TIG) and SMAW (stick welding) processes. Must pass a military-standard 6G X-ray pipe weld test on 5” schedule 80 carbon steel pipe (GTAW for root, 11018 SMAW for fill and cap). Comfortable working various shifts, including day or night, based on production demands. Physically able to work at heights, in confined spaces, and in various environmental conditions. Strong understanding of welding symbols, safety protocols, and pipe joint tolerances. U.S. Citizenship or authorization to work in the U.S. (due to federal contract requirements).

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How this job compares in Houston, TX

Pay in context

This employer didn't publish a rate. For reference, welding jobs in Houston, TX currently run a median of $25/hr in our index, with the middle half of them falling between $22–$32/hr across 60 postings with published pay. That median is a reasonable floor to anchor on when a recruiter asks what you're looking for.

The local market in Houston, TX

We're tracking 209 other active welding openings in Houston, TX right now, from 123 different employers. 9 of them were added in the last week. Across Texas as a whole we're tracking 914 other active welding openings from 519 employers. A metro this active generally means you have real leverage — employers here are competing for the same welders. Browse every welding job in Houston, or widen the search to Texas.

Core Group Resources currently has 4 other openings live in Texas, which is usually a sign of either steady growth or steady turnover — worth asking which in the interview.

The most active employers in Texas at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Welding Shop in Houston, TX (21), Zachry Group (20), and Austin Industries (20). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

Within Texas, the best-paying metros we track by median hourly rate are Pasadena at $82/hr, Dallas at $35/hr, and La Porte at $32/hr. If you can relocate or commute, that spread is worth factoring in.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for TIG and Stick work. TIG (GTAW) uses a non-consumable tungsten electrode with filler added by hand, giving the operator the most control of any process. It is slow, demanding, and the standard for stainless, aluminum, and anything where the bead has to look as good as it holds. Stick (SMAW) burns a flux-coated consumable rod and needs no shielding gas, so it works in wind, rain, and on dirty or rusted steel. That tolerance for bad conditions keeps it the default for field, structural, and repair work.

Certifications this posting mentions

  • 6G — a pipe test welded on a joint fixed at a 45-degree incline. Because the torch has to travel through flat, vertical, and overhead angles in a single pass, passing 6G qualifies you for every position on pipe — which is why it is the ticket that separates pipe welders from plate welders on pay.

Read straight from this posting's text. Confirm the exact qualification the employer wants before you test — requirements vary by shop even under the same code.

Similar openings near Houston, TX

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Pipewelder figures were last recalculated when this page was built.