A welder resume needs these ATS keywords to pass automated screening: MIG Welding, TIG Welding, Stick Welding, SMAW, GMAW. Average welder salary is $35,000 – $55,000. With 5,400 monthly resume-related searches, competition is high. Use the exact terms from each job description to maximize your ATS match score.
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These keywords appear most frequently in welder job descriptions. Missing even a few can drop your ATS score below the screening threshold.
Hard and soft skills that welder ATS systems look for
Welding robots handle high-volume, repetitive industrial welding tasks, but skilled welders who work in complex positions, manage quality control, and handle specialty materials remain in high demand. Pipe welding, structural welding, and aerospace welding require certifications and judgment that maintain strong labor market position.
Common mistakes that cause welder resumes to fail ATS screening
List specific welding processes by code name (GMAW, GTAW, SMAW, FCAW) — industrial employers and staffing agencies filter on process codes, not just common names
Include AWS certification numbers and codes (AWS D1.1, ASME Section IX) — certified welder credentials are hard filters in structural, pressure vessel, and aerospace welding roles
List material types you can weld: carbon steel, stainless steel, aluminum, titanium — material-specific experience significantly affects your eligible role pool
Include all weld positions: flat (1F/1G), horizontal (2F/2G), vertical (3F/3G), overhead (4F/4G) — pipe and structural employers filter on position certification
List metal thickness range: 'Qualified to weld materials from 1/8" to 1" plate' — this signals capability range for high-tonnage fabrication shops
Include OSHA certification level (10-hour or 30-hour) — construction and industrial sites often require documented safety training
Key ATS keywords for welder roles include: MIG (GMAW), TIG (GTAW), Stick (SMAW), structural welding, pipe welding, AWS D1.1, AWS Certified Welder, blueprint reading, OSHA 10, metal fabrication, and welding inspection. Industrial employers often use ATS systems that filter on AWS certification status and specific process codes. Use ATS CV Checker to compare your resume against specific welding job postings and ensure your certification codes appear in the correct format.
AWS certifications are the industry standard and significantly expand your job opportunities. An AWS Certified Welder (CW) credential validates your skills with an independent standard that employers trust. The AWS Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) opens doors to quality control and inspection roles at much higher pay scales. For pipe welding, ASME Section IX certification is required for pressure vessel and power plant work. List all active certifications with their test position codes and expiration dates — ATS systems and hiring managers use these to verify your qualifications.
Yes. Welding certifications are position-specific (flat, horizontal, vertical, overhead) and material-specific. Format clearly: 'AWS D1.1 Structural Welding — 3G Position (Vertical), Carbon Steel, Passes'. This detail matters because many projects require specific position qualifications. Employers reviewing resumes in fabrication shops and construction companies look for position coverage immediately. The more positions and processes you list with documented certifications, the broader your eligible project types.
Welding skills transfer across industries (construction, manufacturing, aerospace, shipbuilding, automotive) but terminology differs. Construction uses AWS D1.1; petroleum/power uses ASME Section IX; aerospace uses AWS D1.7 and military standards. Identify your existing certifications and determine which industry standards they map to. Your fundamental process skills (TIG, MIG, Stick) apply everywhere — list them prominently. Use ATS CV Checker to identify the specific code references and terminology used in target industry job postings and adjust your resume language accordingly.
The CWI (Certified Welding Inspector) credential from the American Welding Society is the primary qualification for quality control and inspection roles — it requires a combination of education, welding experience, and passing a written/practical exam. For supervisory roles, emphasize any team leadership, training of junior welders, and quality control responsibilities in your current experience bullets. Pursuing an AWS Certified Welding Supervisor (CWS) credential further differentiates candidates for shop foreman and lead welder positions.
Guides to help you pass ATS screening faster