Aluminum welder vs welder operator

The differences between aluminum welders and welder operators 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 welder operator. Additionally, an aluminum welder has an average salary of $38,155, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

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

Aluminum welder vs welder operator overview

	Aluminum Welder	Welder Operator
Yearly salary	$38,155	$31,669
Hourly rate	$18.34	$15.23
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	7,063	51,229
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Aluminum welder vs welder operator salary

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

	Aluminum Welder	Welder Operator
Average salary	$38,155	$31,669
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $48,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Vancouver, WA	Chicopee, MA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Wyoming
Best paying company	Premier Marine	Capco
Best paying industry	Automotive	Automotive

Differences between aluminum welder and welder operator education

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

	Aluminum Welder	Welder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 35%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Aluminum welder vs welder operator demographics

Here are the differences between aluminum welders' and welder operators' demographics:

	Aluminum Welder	Welder Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 94.3% Female, 5.7%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between aluminum welder and welder operator 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.

Welder operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.

Aluminum welder vs welder operator skills

Common aluminum welder skills

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

Common welder operator skills

MIG, 12%
Arc Welding, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
GMAW, 5%