Pressure Welders
Overview
Snapshot
Summary
Pressure Welders assemble, weld and repair pressure vessels and pipes to relevant standards.
Tasks
-
Shapes and bends metal sections and pipes using hand and machine tools, and by heating and hammering.
-
Aligns parts to be joined using hand tools and measuring instruments.
Characteristics
-
Vocational Education and Training (VET)
-
Practical
-
Heavy
Outlook
JSA produces employment projections to show where likely future job opportunities may be. Employment projections data are only produced for occupations at the broad four digit Australian and New Zealand Standard Classification of Occupations (ANZSCO) level. While data are not available for this occupation, projections data are available for the parent occupation, Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers, under the outlook section.
Earnings and hours
Working arrangements
-
Around 91% of people employed as Pressure Welders work full-time hours, in all their jobs combined. This is 25 percentage points above the all jobs average (66%).
Full-time workers work an average of 48 hours per week in their main job. This is 4 hours more than the all jobs average (44 hours per week).
Sources:Full-time share and full-time hours: ABS, 2016 Census, customised report. Compared to the all jobs average.
Industries
Main industries
-
Pressure Welders work in industries like:
- Manufacturing
- Construction
- Electricity, gas, water and waste services
- Professional, scientific and technical services.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report.
Regions
Employment across Australia
NSW
VIC
QLD
SA
WA
TAS
NT
ACT
Employment by State and Territory (% Share)
State | Pressure Welders | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
NSW | 29.4 | 31.6 |
VIC | 31.9 | 25.6 |
QLD | 18.5 | 20.0 |
SA | 8.4 | 7.0 |
WA | 9.2 | 10.8 |
TAS | 0.0 | 2.0 |
NT | 2.5 | 1.0 |
ACT | 0.0 | 1.9 |
-
Around 45% of Pressure Welders live outside of capital cities, compared with the all jobs average of 38%.
Victoria has a large share of employment relative to its population size.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Share of workers across Australian states, territories and regions, in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Worker profile
Age and gender
-
The median age of Pressure Welders is 43 years. This is higher than the all jobs average of 40 years.
A large share of workers are aged 35 to 44 years.
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile and gender share compared to the all jobs average.
Age Profile (% Share)
Age Bracket | Pressure Welders | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
15-19 | 0.0 | 5.0 |
20-24 | 3.9 | 9.3 |
25-34 | 24.3 | 22.9 |
35-44 | 35.0 | 22.0 |
45-54 | 21.4 | 21.6 |
55-59 | 8.7 | 9.0 |
60-64 | 6.8 | 6.0 |
65 and Over | 0.0 | 4.2 |
Median Age | 43 | 40 |
Source: Based on ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Age profile of workers in this job compared to the all jobs average.
Employment Pathways
Education, training and experience
A certificate III in engineering - fabrication trade is usually needed to work as a Pressure Welder. This course is often completed as part of an apprenticeship.
Visit
- My Skills to compare Vocational Education and Training (VET) courses, providers and student outcomes.
- AAPathways website to explore Manufacturing and Metal and Engineering VET training pathways.
Highest Level of Education (% Share)
Type of Qualification | Pressure Welders | All Jobs Average |
---|---|---|
Post Graduate/Graduate Diploma or Graduate Certificate | 0.0 | 10.1 |
Bachelor degree | 0.0 | 21.8 |
Advanced Diploma/Diploma | 5.9 | 11.6 |
Certificate III/IV | 94.1 | 21.1 |
Year 12 | 0.0 | 18.1 |
Year 11 | 0.0 | 4.8 |
Year 10 and below | 0.0 | 12.5 |
Source: ABS Census 2016, Customised Report. Highest qualification completed by workers in this job (in any field of study). Qualifications needed by new workers might be different from the qualifications of workers already in the job.
Skills and Knowledge
Employers look for Structural Steel and Welding Trades Workers who are reliable, work well in a team and who have good people skills.
Skills
Skills can be improved through training or experience.
-
45%
MonitoringKeeping track of how well work is progressing so you can make changes or improvements.
-
45%
Quality control analysisDoing tests and checking products, services, or processes to make sure they are working properly.
-
43%
Coordination with othersBeing adaptable and coordinating work with other people.
-
43%
Critical thinkingThinking about the pros and cons of different ways to solve a problem.
-
41%
Operation and controlControlling equipment or systems.
-
41%
Reading comprehensionReading work related information.
-
41%
InstructingTeaching people how to do something.
-
39%
Active listeningListening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions.
-
37%
MathematicsUsing maths to solve problems.
-
37%
Operation monitoringWatching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
-
36%
Judgment and decision makingFiguring out the pros and cons of different options and choosing the best one.
-
36%
Time managementManaging your own and other peoples' time to get work done.
-
36%
Active learningBeing able to use what you have learnt to solve problems now and again in the future.
-
34%
SpeakingTalking to others.
-
34%
Complex problem solvingNoticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it.
-
34%
RepairingFixing machines or systems.
-
34%
WritingWriting things for co-workers or customers.
-
32%
Equipment selectionDeciding on the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job.
-
32%
Social perceptivenessUnderstanding why people react the way they do.
-
29%
Management of personnel resourcesMotivating, developing, and directing people as they work, and choosing the best people for the job.
Knowledge
These are important topics, subjects or knowledge areas.
-
60%
MechanicalMachines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
-
58%
Technical designDesign techniques, tools, and principles used to make detailed technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
-
51%
Production and processingRaw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and ways of making and distributing goods.
-
49%
Engineering and technologyUse engineering, science and technology to design and produce goods and services.
-
49%
MathematicsArithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, or statistics.
-
43%
English languageEnglish language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
-
43%
Education and trainingCurriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
-
42%
Building and constructionMaterials, and methods used to construct or repair houses, buildings, or other structures like highways and roads.
-
38%
Administration and managementBusiness principles involved in strategic planning, leadership, and coordinating people and resources.
-
33%
PhysicsThe physical laws of matter, motion and energy, and how they interact through space and time.
-
32%
TransportationMoving people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road.
-
31%
Customer and personal serviceUnderstanding customer needs, providing good quality service, and measuring customer satisfaction.
-
29%
ChemistryChemical composition, structure, and properties. How chemicals are made, used, mixed, and can change.
-
26%
Computers and electronicsCircuit boards, processors, chips, electronic equipment, and computer hardware and software, including applications and programming.
-
24%
Personnel and human resourcesRecruiting and training people, managing pay and other entitlements (like sick leave), and negotiating pay and conditions.
-
23%
Public safety and securityUse of equipment, rules and ideas to protect people, data, property, and institutions.
-
18%
ClericalWord processing, managing files and records, stenography and transcription, designing forms, and other office work.
-
15%
GeographyDescribing land, sea, and air, including their physical characteristics, locations, how they work together, and the location of plant, animal, and human life.
-
14%
Economics and accountingEconomics and accounting, the financial markets, banking and checking and reporting of financial data.
-
12%
Sales and marketingShowing, promoting, and selling including marketing strategy, product demonstration, sales techniques, and sales control systems.
Abilities
Workers use these physical and mental abilities..
-
54%
Control precisionQuickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat.
-
54%
Near visionSee details that are up-close (within a few feet).
-
50%
Arm-hand steadinessKeep your hand or arm steady.
-
50%
VisualizationImagine how something will look after it is moved around or changed.
-
50%
Oral comprehensionListen to and understand what people say.
-
48%
Finger dexterityPut together small parts with your fingers.
-
46%
Oral expressionCommunicate by speaking.
-
45%
Multilimb coordinationUse your arms and/or legs at the same time while sitting, standing, or lying down.
-
45%
Extent flexibilityBend, stretch, twist, or reach with your body, arms, and/or legs.
-
45%
Static strengthLift, push, pull, or carry things.
-
43%
CategorisingCome up with different ways of grouping things.
-
43%
Depth perceptionDecide which thing is closer or further away from you, or decide how far away it is.
-
43%
Far visionSee details that are far away.
-
43%
Selective attentionPay attention to something without being distracted.
-
43%
Trunk strengthUse your abdominal and lower back muscles a number of times without 'giving out' or fatiguing.
-
41%
Manual dexterityQuickly move your hand to grasp, manipulate, or assemble objects.
-
41%
Problem spottingNotice when something is wrong or is likely to go wrong, even if you can't solve the problem.
-
41%
Deductive reasoningUse general rules to find answers or solve problems logically.
-
37%
Sorting or orderingOrder or arrange things in a pattern or sequence (e.g., numbers, letters, words, pictures, mathematical operations).
-
37%
Speech recognitionIdentify and understand the speech of another person.
Activities
These are kinds of activities workers regularly do in this job.
-
88%
Handling and moving objectsUsing hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, moving and manipulating objects.
-
80%
Controlling equipment or machinesOperating machines or processes either directly or using controls (not including computers or vehicles).
-
69%
Doing physically active workUse your arms, legs and whole body, such as climbing, lifting, balancing, walking, stooping, and handling objects.
-
55%
Monitoring people, processes and thingsChecking objects, actions, or events, and keeping an eye out for problems.
-
55%
Communicating within a teamGiving information to co-workers by telephone, in writing, or in person.
-
54%
Thinking creativelyUsing your own ideas for developing, designing, or creating something new.
-
54%
Working with mechanical equipmentServicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment.
-
53%
Planning and prioritising workDeciding on goals and putting together a detailed plan to get the work done.
-
52%
Driving vehicles or equipmentRunning, manoeuvring, navigating, or driving things like forklifts, vehicles, aircraft, or water craft.
-
52%
Keeping your knowledge up-to-dateKeeping up-to-date with technology and new ideas.
-
51%
Training and teaching othersUnderstanding the needs of others, developing training programs, and teaching or instructing.
-
48%
Making decisions and solving problemsUsing information to work out the best solution and solve problems.
-
48%
Helping and caring for othersProviding personal assistance, medical attention, or emotional support.
-
47%
Coordinating the work of a teamGetting members of a group to work together to finish a task.
-
46%
Coaching and developing othersWorking out the needs of others and coaching, mentoring, or helping them to improve.
-
43%
Collecting and organising informationCompiling, coding, categorizing, calculating, tabulating, auditing, or checking information or data.
-
40%
Checking for errors or defectsInspecting equipment, structures, or materials for errors, problems or defects.
-
39%
Looking for changes over timeComparing objects, actions, or events. Looking for differences between them or changes over time.
-
36%
Checking compliance with standardsDeciding whether events or processes comply with laws, regulations, or standards.
-
34%
Researching and investigatingLooking for, getting and understanding different kinds of information.
Interests and demands
Learn about the daily activities, and physical and social demands faced by workers. Explore the values and work styles that workers rate as most important.
Interests
Interests are the style or type of work we prefer to do. All interest areas are shown below.
-
100%
PracticalPractical, hands-on work. Often with plants and animals, or materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
-
48%
AdministrativeFollowing set procedures and routines. Working with numbers and details more than with ideas, usually following rules.
-
33%
AnalyticalIdeas and thinking. Searching for facts and figuring out problems in your head.
-
24%
EnterprisingStarting up and carrying out projects. Leading people and making many decisions. Sometimes require risk taking and often deal with business.
-
14%
CreativeWorking with forms, designs and patterns. Often need self-expression and can be done without following rules.
-
14%
HelpingWorking with people. Helping or providing service to others.
Values
-
67%
SupportSupportive management that stands behind employees. Workers are treated fairly by their company, they are supported by management, and have supervisors who train them well.
-
48%
Working conditionsJob security and good working conditions. There is usually a steady flow of interesting work, and the pay and conditions are generally good.
-
43%
IndependenceWork alone and make decisions. Workers are able to try out their own ideas, make decisions on their own, and work with little or no supervision.
-
43%
RelationshipsServe and work with others. Workers usually get along well with each other, do things to help other people, and are rarely pressured to do things that go against their sense of right and wrong.
-
38%
AchievementResults oriented. Workers are able to use their strongest abilities, giving them a feeling of accomplishment.
-
38%
RecognitionAdvancement and the potential to lead. Workers are recognised for the work that they do, they may give directions and instructions to others, and they are looked up to in their company and their community.
Demands
-
100%
Wear common protective or safety equipmentWear equipment like safety shoes, glasses, gloves, hard hats or life jackets.
-
87%
Using your hands to handle, control, or feelSpend time using your hands to handle, control, or feel objects, tools or controls.
-
86%
Being exact or accurateBe very exact or highly accurate.
-
85%
Face-to-face discussionsTalk with people face-to-face.
-
84%
Indoors, not heat controlledWork indoors without heating or cooling (e.g., warehouse without heat).
-
84%
Exposure to contaminantsBe exposed to pollutants, gases, dust or odours.
-
79%
Frequent decision makingFrequently make decisions that impact other people.
-
77%
TeamworkWork with people in a group or team.
-
77%
Unstructured workHave freedom to decide on tasks, priorities, and goals.
-
76%
Impact of decisionsMake decisions that have a large impact on other people.
-
76%
Time pressureWork to strict deadlines.
-
75%
Health and safety of othersTake responsibility for the health and safety of others.
-
74%
Freedom to make decisionsHave freedom to make decision on your own.
-
74%
Loud or uncomfortable soundsBe exposed to noises and sounds that are distracting or uncomfortable.
-
73%
Contact with peopleHave contact with people by telephone, face-to-face, or any other way.
-
73%
Spend time standingSpend time standing at work.
-
71%
Minor burns, cuts, bites, or stingsBe exposed to minor burns, cuts, bites, or stings.
-
70%
Dangerous equipmentWork near dangerous equipment like saws, machinery with open moving parts, or moving traffic.
-
69%
Making repetitive motionsSpend time making repetitive motions.
-
67%
Very hot or cold temperaturesWork in very hot or cold temperatures.
O*NET is a trademark of the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration.
The skills and importance ratings on this page are derived from the US Department of Labor O*NET Database Version 21.2, 51-4121.06 - Welders, Cutters, and Welder Fitters.
Links and downloads
Research and reports
The Skills Priority List provides a current labour market rating and a future demand rating for nearly 800 occupations nationally. Current labour market ratings are available for occupations at a state and territory level.
Downloads
-
Occupation profiles data are available for download.
The Employment Projections are available for download.