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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.

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 with work assignments.
  • Report irregularities or abnormal conditions and keep records.
  • Perform all work in accordance with safety regulations and acceptable 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 contained within the job description or satisfactory progression toward these skills prior to the end of the probationary period.
  • Must obtain 'R' stamp certification within one year from the initial hiring date.
  • A physical abilities assessment is required.

Compensation

  • $37.66 - $39.59 per hour

Company

American Electric Power

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How this job compares in South Charleston, WV

Pay in context

At roughly $39/hr, this posting sits about 21% above the $32/hr median for welding jobs across West Virginia — toward the top of a $25–$34/hr middle band drawn from 9 postings with published pay. Put another way, it pays more than about 89% 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

South Charleston, WV is a small market in our index: 1 other active welding opening alongside this one, from 1 employer. Across West Virginia as a whole we're tracking 22 other active welding openings from 18 employers. With this few local postings, most welders here end up either commuting or looking at travel work. Browse welding jobs across West Virginia.

The most active employers in West Virginia at the moment, by number of open welding reqs, are Jennmar (4) and Sistersville Tank Works, Inc (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 MIG and TIG work. MIG (GMAW) feeds a continuous wire electrode through a shielding-gas nozzle. It lays down metal fast and is forgiving on clean material, which is why it dominates production and light fabrication 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.

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.