How much does a welder earn, and how to find an employee?

How much does a welder earn, and how to find an employee?

Taras Havryliuk
26.11.2024
4 min czytania

Skilled manual workers are among the valued professionals on the labor market. People looking for employment in this profession, as well as employers, are often interested in salary ranges and ways to find a specialist for the position of welder. We explain how much such an employee can earn in Poland and abroad, and how to find one.

Welder – what does the job involve?

Working as a welder involves welding elements made of metal and performing all related tasks. Welding is a process that involves melting the edges of metal parts and joining them together . The heat source may be gas. In this case, the flame is created by burning a mixture of acetylene or propane with oxygen. In electric welding, a welding arc is used between the electrode and the metal element being welded.

Workers most often deal with steel and iron. They work on various types of metal structures : machine parts, buildings, and equipment. Their work includes production, repairs, and maintenance.

Welder salaries – what do they depend on?

How much can you earn as a welder? A welder’s salary depends on various factors related both to the employee and the employer. The most important are: length of service, education, experience, and qualifications . The type of welded elements is also important, as it affects the complexity level of the projects performed. 

Knowledge and experience

The ability to use specific welding techniques affects the employee’s salary . Welders using MAG/MIG usually earn the least, because this welding technique is the simplest. A TIG welder can expect slightly higher pay. People specializing in aluminum welding and gas welding earn even more. 

A flexible approach to working hours

In the welding profession, willingness to take on intensive work also matters. A welder can earn more when they agree to flexible working hours and a tight schedule that includes night shifts or weekend work. Any modifications to the traditionally accepted 8-hour day and 5-day working week are desirable and highly valued by employers.

Salary bonuses and benefits

Additional benefits should often be added to a welder’s salary. In some companies, these include life insurance, accident insurance, or private medical care. It is important to remember that this is work performed in difficult conditions, which is why salary supplements often encourage employees to take the job . Other non-wage benefits include for example sports cards, vouchers, and funding for training and courses useful for work in Poland and abroad.

Company characteristics and their impact on salary levels

Salary levels also vary depending on the workplace. The company’s location and the place where the work is performed also matter. In different voivodeships, the median salary of a welder may vary slightly , just like average salaries in other professions. In larger companies, wages are usually correspondingly higher than in small local businesses operating on a limited scale.

How much does a welder earn in Poland?

The average monthly salary for a welder in Poland is around PLN 5,000-6,000 gross . 25% of people employed in this profession earn less than PLN 4,800, while the top 25% of welders can earn close to PLN 7,000. Beginner welders usually earn amounts in the lower part of the salary range. As experience grows, expected earnings increase.

How much does a welder earn abroad?

Welder salaries abroad are as follows: in Germany, they can expect pay of between EUR 1,600 and EUR 5,000. Attractive rates result from the constantly growing demand for qualified employees working in this profession . In France, the average monthly salary of a welder is around EUR 1,100, and in the Netherlands, for example, EUR 3,750.

How to find a qualified welder?

In welding work, knowledge, skills, and experience matter. Workers with the right knowledge can use welding equipment while following safety measures. Skills translate into precise and durable joints . Experience, in turn, comes from completed tasks and allows a welder to work in different conditions, on numerous elements, and on various projects, etc. 

How can you recognize a good welder?

To find a qualified welder, it is worth looking at their professional background. A good employee has confirmed references and qualifications , for example a certificate confirming authorization to weld using a specific method, most often MAG and TIG. Such information may be available through an employment agency.

How to improve the welder recruitment process? 

During the recruitment process, it is worth using employment intermediary services provided by employment agencies . This gives the employer confidence that the welders are verified and selected candidates with the right qualifications. In addition, agency staff provide clients with coordinator support, supervising the recruitment and work process. 

Temporary employment agencies 

An example of an organization helping employers find workers is the Atlaswork temporary employment agency . It builds a database of qualified specialists, including welders. The agency carries out projects involving employee leasing and outsourcing . This makes it possible to minimize formalities and shorten and simplify the process of expanding a team with an experienced specialist without the need to employ them directly.

An experienced welder is a qualified worker who precisely joins metal elements. This need exists in many industries, which is why job offers for welders can be found on many job portals. A good solution is to search through temporary employment agencies, where employers can hire specialized, experienced, and verified manual workers.