Structural Welder Jobs in New Iberia, LA
Weld hulls, decks, bulkheads, and steel structures — new build and repair.
What structural welders earn around New Iberia
The median, range, and annual figures above are market data — Source: BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics for Southwest Louisiana Balance of State, via the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop. Cost of living here runs about 10% below the national average — your paycheck goes further. AMS pays $35–$40/hr plus overtime opportunities.
Structural Welders in the New Iberia market
New Iberia anchors the Acadiana marine market around the Port of Iberia — one of the country's busiest offshore-fabrication ports, turning out pipe and structural steel for the marine and energy industries. It's part of the Louisiana market AMS recruits from.
Structural Welders working New Iberia are on the plate and structural work — bulkheads, framing, foundations — that carries the vessel's load, through yards like Port of Iberia offshore-fabrication yards. What that means day to day depends on whether the yard is running new construction or repair — the fit-up problems are not the same.
- Port of Iberia offshore-fabrication yards
Named as public-record market activity — where marine work happens in this area, not a statement of AMS contracts.
- City population
- 27,926
- Median household income
- $50,802
- Average commute
- 21 min
- Cost of living (US = 100)
- 89.813
Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year · BEA Regional Price Parities. Figures are for New Iberia city, Louisiana, not the wider metro area.
What a structural welder does in New Iberia
Structural welders build and repair the steel that holds a vessel together — hulls, bulkheads, decks, foundations, catwalks, and platforms — welding to structural code on onshore and offshore projects, new constructions, retrofits, and repairs. Flux-core, stick, and MIG in tight, out-of-position spots. AMS handles every aspect to the highest quality standards.
Why New Iberia needs structural welders right now
Structural work around New Iberia leans heavy: offshore-fabrication yards burn a lot of plate and structural members, and the welding runs to thick sections, full-penetration joints, and procedures with no forgiveness. That's a harder school than most shipyard work, not an easier one. A structural welder who came up on fab-yard steel already runs flux-core and stick at production volume — the move to hulls, decks, and bulkheads is a change of geometry, not of craft, and the bayou's builders are down the corridor.
The competition for these hands is real: GAO found in 2025 that shipbuilders compete for the same workers as oil and gas, construction, and technology employers — and around Acadiana, energy work bids hard for structural welders. AMS bids harder where it counts: $35–$40 an hour plus overtime opportunities and steady marine work instead of turnaround cycles. New Iberia is recruiting reach for AMS, so expect travel with per diem — common in this trade and paid like it.
If you've welded structural steel for the offshore industry — full-penetration joints on thick sections, flux-core at production volume, work that got cut and macro-etched when quality doubted it — you can do vessel structure, full stop. Hulls and decks add position work and tighter access, and experienced hands adapt in weeks while green ones take years. That gap is why AMS pays $35–$40 an hour for proven structural welders and puts them straight on the steel.
Bring your experience to AMSStructural Welder jobs in New Iberia — FAQ
How much do structural welders make in New Iberia, LA?
In the Southwest Louisiana Balance of State, structural welders earn a median of about $27.26 per hour — typically $15.49–$34.52 per hour (BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics via the U.S. Department of Labor's CareerOneStop). With local prices at 89.813 against a national 100, that median buys roughly what $30.35 an hour would nationally. AMS pays $35–$40/hr plus overtime opportunities; the rate for a specific role is discussed when you apply.
Does AMS hire structural welders in New Iberia?
AMS recruits structural welders across the Gulf Coast, including the New Iberia market, for marine fabrication and repair work. Apply and tell us your trade, your experience, and whether you can travel.
What do I need to get hired as a structural welder in New Iberia?
For structural welders, AMS looks first at flux-core, stick, mig and structural code. Every role also requires passing a shipyard safety orientation and a drug screen, and a TWIC card is usually needed for yard access at Port of Iberia offshore-fabrication yards and similar facilities. Bring your certifications — apply and an AMS representative will go over the specifics.
What is the commute like for New Iberia yard work?
Workers in New Iberia city, Louisiana report an average commute of about 21 minutes (U.S. Census ACS). Yard start times are early, so most crews plan the drive around shift change rather than rush hour. If you would rather travel to the work than commute to it, AMS runs per-diem assignments across the Gulf Coast.
Ready to work as a structural welder in New Iberia?
Tell us your trade and experience — an AMS representative will follow up. Résumé optional.