Aluminum welder vs structural welder

The differences between aluminum welders and structural 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 structural welder. Additionally, a structural welder has an average salary of $42,868, 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 structural welder are SMAW, FCAW, and MIG.

Aluminum welder vs structural welder overview

	Aluminum Welder	Structural Welder
Yearly salary	$38,155	$42,868
Hourly rate	$18.34	$20.61
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	7,063	9,651
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Aluminum welder vs structural welder salary

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

	Aluminum Welder	Structural Welder
Average salary	$38,155	$42,868
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $48,000	Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Massachusetts
Best paying company	Premier Marine	Turner Construction
Best paying industry	Automotive	Construction

Differences between aluminum welder and structural welder education

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

	Aluminum Welder	Structural Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Aluminum welder vs structural welder demographics

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

	Aluminum Welder	Structural Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%	Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between aluminum welder and structural 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.

Structural welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Fabricate and assemble small parts and components with the GMAW, SMAW, FCAW and aluminum weld process.
Bound structural as well as nonstructural parts by means of welding according to drawings using MIG and TIG welding of steel.
Weld, and fabricate pressure vessels using GMAW process.
Fix various stock trailers and other equipment that come in for repairs using FCAW, and GMAW.
Weld separately or in combination using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.

Aluminum welder vs structural welder skills

Common aluminum welder skills

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

Common structural welder skills

SMAW, 9%
FCAW, 8%
MIG, 8%
Arc Welding, 8%
GMAW, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%