Aluminum welder vs pipe welder

The differences between aluminum welders and pipe welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an aluminum welder and a pipe welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $38,155 average annual salary of an aluminum welder.

The top three skills for an aluminum welder include GMAW, tig welding and arc welding. The most important skills for a pipe welder are carbon steel, MIG, and hand tools.

Aluminum welder vs pipe welder overview

	Aluminum Welder	Pipe Welder
Yearly salary	$38,155	$46,364
Hourly rate	$18.34	$22.29
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	7,063	7,738
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Aluminum welder vs pipe welder salary

Aluminum welders and pipe welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Aluminum Welder	Pipe Welder
Average salary	$38,155	$46,364
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $48,000	Between $33,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	North Kingstown, RI
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Alaska
Best paying company	Premier Marine	Forum Energy Technologies
Best paying industry	Automotive	Construction

Differences between aluminum welder and pipe welder education

There are a few differences between an aluminum welder and a pipe welder in terms of educational background:

	Aluminum Welder	Pipe Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Aluminum welder vs pipe welder demographics

Here are the differences between aluminum welders' and pipe welders' demographics:

	Aluminum Welder	Pipe Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between aluminum welder and pipe welder duties and responsibilities

Aluminum welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Weld aluminum toolboxes on an assembly line using GTAW and GMAW processes.
Inspect castings for any visual defects, used grinders & air tools to remove remaining gates to contour of part.
Perform GMAW on aluminum surfaces.
Build and modify jigs for mass production parts.
Assemble then weld various aluminum and steel parts; assemble military environmental control and power generation trailers.

Pipe welder example responsibilities.

Silver solder, TIG, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW weld mild steel stainless steel aluminum and copper nickel respectively.
Weld carbon and stainless steel pipe in position and roll out machines utilizing GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW processes.
Skil in all types of welding, including MIG, TIG, stick, aluminum and stainless steel.
Work with TIG and MIG welding systems, as well as forklifts and overhead cranes up to 30 tons.
Work safely under OSHA safety and PPE standards.
Used aluminum GMAW for structural supports and some larger fabrications.

Aluminum welder vs pipe welder skills

Common aluminum welder skills

GMAW, 16%
Tig Welding, 15%
Arc Welding, 9%
Tape Measure, 4%
Grinders, 4%
Jigs, 4%

Common pipe welder skills

Carbon Steel, 16%
MIG, 10%
Hand Tools, 8%
TIG, 6%
SMAW, 6%
GTAW, 6%