A method and system for retracting welding wire is provided. One welding torch includes a handle configured to receive welding wire from a wire source and to direct the welding wire to a torch tip. The welding torch also includes a first switch coupled to the handle and configured to cause the welding wire to extend out of the torch tip to expose more wire when the first switch is actuated. The welding torch includes a second switch coupled to the handle and configured to cause the welding wire to retract into the torch tip to expose less wire when the second switch is actuated.