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Job Description

Overview

The Welder 2nd Class position involves performing semi-skilled work in inspecting, repairing, rebuilding, and assembling critical power plant components. This entry-level role is part of a team dedicated to delivering safe and reliable energy solutions at AEP.

Responsibilities

  • Perform manual metal arc, TIG welding, gas metal arc, and oxyacetylene welding in all positions.
  • Support ID fan repairs including QC, cleaning, disassembly, and assembly.
  • Assist in stress relieving processes and apply hard surfacing material.
  • Assist in silver brazing work such as installing turbine bucket erosion shields.
  • Perform maintenance work on the Central Machine Shop building and equipment.
  • Assist employees of equal or higher classification in work assignments.
  • Report irregularities or abnormal conditions and keep records.
  • Perform all work in accordance with safety regulations and shop practices.
  • Support AEP's cultural goals and expectations.
  • Perform similar or less skilled work as assigned.

Requirements

  • High school diploma, GED, or equivalent.
  • At least 3 years of experience in the welding field with a basic understanding of welding concepts.
  • Must demonstrate skills and abilities in the job description or satisfactory progression toward these skills.
  • Must obtain 'R' stamp certification within one year from the initial hiring date.
  • A physical abilities assessment is required.

Compensation

  • Wage Range: $37.66 - $39.59 per hour.
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How this job compares in South Charleston, WV

Pay in context

At roughly $39/hr, this posting sits about 14% above the $34/hr median for welding jobs across West Virginia — toward the top of a $32–$40/hr middle band drawn from 16 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 75% of the comparable postings we have wage data for. Pay that far above local median usually comes attached to something: a harder cert requirement, travel, night shift, or overtime that isn't really optional. Worth establishing which before you accept.

The local market in South Charleston, WV

This is the only active welding job we're currently tracking in South Charleston, WV, which makes it worth moving on quickly — there is no local competing offer to weigh it against. Across West Virginia as a whole we're tracking 26 other active welding openings from 18 employers. Browse welding jobs across West Virginia.

The most active employers in West Virginia at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Jennmar (5), Phillips Tank and Structure - Steel Valley Fabricators (2), and SHEET METAL WORKERS LOCAL 33 (2). Volume like that usually means either a genuine expansion or a staffing agency working several client sites — worth knowing which before you apply.

What you'll be running

This posting calls for TIG. 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.

Similar openings near South Charleston, WV

Pay figures are medians computed from live postings in the Welding Pros index, not from survey data, and they move as employers post. Welder 2nd Class figures were last recalculated when this page was built.