Top 5 Stick Welding Jobs Near Me: Pay, Per Diem, Shifts
Stick welding (SMAW) remains one of the most in-demand skills across construction, pipeline, and structural fabrication. If you’re searching for stick welding jobs near me, you’re looking at opportunities that often come with solid hourly rates, per diem allowances, and flexible shift options, especially on pipeline and field work.
But finding the right listing takes time. You need to know which roles pay best, what certifications employers actually want, and where the work is. That’s where bluecollarjobs comes in, we specialize in connecting skilled tradespeople with employers who need exactly what you bring to the table.
This guide breaks down five stick welding job types you’ll find posted right now, covering pay ranges, per diem details, and shift structures. Whether you’re a certified pipe welder chasing travel work or looking for steady shop hours close to home, here’s what to expect.
1. Blue Collar Jobs stick welding listings
Blue Collar Jobs specializes in trade-specific employment, which means every stick welding listing comes from employers who understand the technical side of SMAW work. You won’t waste time sorting through unrelated roles or vague job descriptions. The platform focuses exclusively on skilled trades, so the listings you see are written by contractors, fabrication shops, and industrial service companies actively hiring welders right now.
What roles you will find
You’ll see everything from entry-level helper positions to certified stick welder roles requiring multiple vertical and overhead passes. Listings include shop-based fabrication work, field repair assignments, structural welding on commercial builds, and pipeline tie-ins. Many employers post apprentice-level openings alongside journeyman roles, so you can filter by your experience level and ticket status without guessing what the job actually involves.
Typical pay and per diem
Hourly rates on Blue Collar Jobs typically range from $18 to $38 per hour depending on certification, location, and project complexity. Per diem allowances show up clearly in postings that require travel, usually between $75 and $150 per day. You’ll know upfront if lodging is covered separately or rolled into the per diem rate, which saves back-and-forth during negotiations.
“Transparency on pay and benefits lets you compare offers before you even apply.”
Common shifts and schedule types
Most listings detail shift structures like 10-hour days, rotating 12-hour shifts, or standard 40-hour weeks. Field and pipeline jobs often list 7-on/7-off or extended rotation schedules. You can filter by shift preference to avoid roles that don’t match your availability or family commitments.
What employers usually require
Expect to see AWS D1.1 or API 1104 certifications listed for structural and pipe welding roles. Entry-level positions may only require a high school diploma and OSHA 10. Many employers ask for clean MVR and drug screening compliance upfront, so you know what’s needed before you submit.
How to find these jobs near you fast
Blue Collar Jobs lets you search stick welding jobs near me by state, city, or ZIP code radius. You can set up email alerts for new postings that match your certifications and location preferences, so you don’t miss opportunities the day they go live.
2. Stick pipe welder
Pipeline stick welding offers some of the highest pay rates in the welding trade. You’ll work on oil, gas, and water transmission lines, where every joint matters for pressure integrity. These roles demand 6G certification and precision under tight quality control, but the travel and per diem structure often doubles your take-home compared to shop work.
What you will do on the job
You’ll tie in pipe sections using SMAW root passes followed by fill and cap layers. Most work involves carbon steel pipe ranging from 2-inch to 48-inch diameter. You’ll interpret weld procedure specifications (WPS), perform fit-up checks, and work in all positions depending on the pipe orientation and trench conditions.
Typical pay and per diem
Certified pipe welders earn $28 to $45 per hour with per diem rates between $100 and $175 per day. Some cross-country pipeline jobs include paid lodging on top of daily allowances, especially on large-diameter mainline projects where crews stay on-site for months.
Common shifts and travel expectations
Expect 10 to 12-hour shifts with six or seven-day rotations. Pipeline work often requires relocation every few weeks as the spread moves. You’ll need reliable transportation to remote jobsites and flexibility to follow the line across state boundaries.
What employers usually require
You must hold API 1104 6G certification with current x-ray or bend test results. Employers ask for a clean background check, valid driver’s license, and proof of OSHA 10 or 30. Some contractors require rigging or crane signal certifications for heavy pipe handling.
How to find these jobs near you
Search stick welding jobs near me on Blue Collar Jobs and filter by “Pipe Welder” or “Pipeline.” Set alerts for travel-based roles so you catch new postings before crews fill up.
3. Structural stick welder
Structural stick welders build the steel frameworks for commercial buildings, bridges, and industrial facilities. You’ll work on-site with heavy I-beams, columns, and plate steel, often at significant heights or in tight access areas. These roles focus on joining structural members that carry load-bearing responsibility, so weld quality directly affects building safety and code compliance.
What you will do on the job
You’ll run fillet and groove welds on beams, gussets, and connection plates using E7018 electrodes in flat, horizontal, vertical, and overhead positions. Fit-up work includes tack welding assemblies before final passes. Many jobs require working from manlifts or scaffolding while managing leads and ground clamps in awkward positions.
Typical pay and per diem
Structural welders earn $22 to $38 per hour depending on local union scale and project size. Per diem rarely applies unless you travel for multi-week commercial builds, where rates run $75 to $125 per day. Most roles pay straight hourly with overtime after 40 hours.
Common shifts and jobsite conditions
Expect 10-hour shifts with occasional Saturday work to meet project deadlines. You’ll work outdoors in all weather conditions, including wind, rain, and temperature extremes. Steel erection sites involve active crane operations and elevated work platforms.
What employers usually require
You need AWS D1.1 certification for structural welding code compliance. Employers ask for OSHA 10 or 30, fall protection training, and aerial lift certifications. Clean background checks and drug screening are standard across commercial construction sites.
How to find these jobs near you
Search stick welding jobs near me on Blue Collar Jobs and filter by “Structural Welder” or “Steel Erection.” Commercial construction peaks in spring and summer, so apply early for seasonal hiring waves.
“Structural projects demand precision welding under real-world conditions that test your positional skills daily.”
4. Industrial shutdown stick welder
Industrial shutdown work puts you on refineries, chemical plants, and power generation facilities during planned maintenance outages. These turnarounds require rapid response welding to repair cracked vessels, failed piping, and corroded structural supports while production stays offline. You’ll work extended hours under tight deadlines because every day the facility stays down costs the operator significant revenue.
What you will do on the job
You’ll perform emergency repairs on pressure vessels, heat exchangers, and process piping using SMAW techniques that match existing base metal specifications. Work includes cutting out failed sections, preparing bevels, and running multi-pass welds on alloy steels and high-temperature materials. You’ll often weld in confined spaces with ventilation equipment and hot work permits.
Typical pay and per diem
Shutdown welders earn $30 to $48 per hour with per diem rates between $125 and $200 per day. Premium rates apply for specialized materials like stainless steel or chrome-moly pipe. Many contractors pay per diem for the full shutdown duration even when you work local.
Common shifts, overtime, and turnaround schedules
Expect 12 to 16-hour shifts with seven-day rotations until the turnaround completes. Shutdowns typically last two to six weeks depending on facility size and scope. Overtime kicks in after eight hours daily, and double-time often applies on Sundays.
“Turnaround work pays top dollar because you deliver critical repairs under compressed timelines.”
What employers usually require
You need ASME Section IX certifications for pressure vessel work plus current radiographic or ultrasonic test records. Employers require TWIC cards for refinery access, plus respirator fit testing and confined space entry training.
How to find these jobs near you
Search stick welding jobs near me on Blue Collar Jobs and filter by “Shutdown” or “Turnaround” keywords. Industrial contractors post openings weeks before scheduled outages start.
5. Field repair and maintenance stick welder
Field service welders handle emergency repairs and preventive maintenance across manufacturing plants, mining operations, agricultural facilities, and heavy equipment yards. You’ll respond to equipment failures that stop production lines or damage critical machinery. These roles combine mobile welding with on-call availability, meaning you travel to the customer’s location instead of working from a fixed shop.
What you will do on the job
You’ll repair cracked frames, broken brackets, and failed welds on conveyors, crushers, loaders, and processing equipment. Work includes cutting out damaged sections, prepping surfaces in the field, and running stick welds on dirty or corroded base metal. You’ll carry your own equipment to remote sites with limited access to power or workspace.
Typical pay and per diem
Field repair welders earn $24 to $40 per hour depending on response time requirements and regional demand. Per diem applies when overnight travel becomes necessary, typically $85 to $140 per day. Some employers pay mileage reimbursement for daily service runs.
Common shifts, on-call, and service coverage
Expect standard 40-hour weeks with rotating on-call duties for after-hours breakdowns. You’ll work evenings, weekends, or holidays when equipment failures disrupt customer operations. Response times often dictate overtime pay structures.
“Field service work rewards welders who handle unpredictable conditions and tight repair windows.”
What employers usually require
You need AWS D1.1 or ASME certifications for structural and pressure component repairs. Employers ask for a clean driving record and valid driver’s license since you’ll operate service trucks loaded with welding equipment. OSHA 10 and basic rigging skills round out the requirements.
How to find these jobs near you
Search stick welding jobs near me on Blue Collar Jobs and filter by “Field Service” or “Mobile Welder.” Industrial service contractors and equipment dealers post openings year-round as customer bases expand.
Next steps
You now know the five main stick welding job types available right now, including pay ranges, per diem structures, and what employers expect from certified welders. Whether you prioritize pipeline travel work, structural shop assignments, or shutdown premiums, the right role depends on your certifications, schedule flexibility, and income goals.
Finding stick welding jobs near me gets easier when you use a platform built specifically for skilled trades. Generic job boards bury welding listings under thousands of unrelated posts, forcing you to waste time sorting through office jobs and retail positions that don’t match your skill set.
Blue Collar Jobs connects you directly with employers who need SMAW-certified welders today. You can search by location, filter by certification requirements, and set up email alerts so you catch new postings the moment they go live. Start your search now and land the next opportunity before someone else does.
