Rig Welding Careers
A rig welder welds things such as machinery, tanks, furnaces and pipes for a variety of industries. Rig welders use tools and equipment that utilize heat to join together materials.
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Basics
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Rig welders typically need experience working in multiple forms of welding. That includes X-ray welding, which consists of drilling holes to melt pipe together, as opposed to strictly melting materials together on the surface. Rig welders help build and stabilize machines used for everything from airplanes to oil tanks.
Skills
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Rig welders have to be highly analytical and able to decipher blueprints and written instructions. They must work well with their hands, aligning pipes and metals at a variety of angles. Strength and endurance are other needed traits, as rig welders often lift and stabilize heavy materials.
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Qualifications
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Rig welders generally need to serve apprenticeships and have experience in more traditional forms of welding. Most companies require their rig welders to possess a high school diploma or equivalent.
Wages
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Welders earned a median hourly wage of $16.13 per hour in May 2008. While those numbers aren't specific to rig welders, their salaries likely fall in line with the rest of the industry.
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