Bridge welder vs welder apprentice

The differences between bridge welders and welder apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a bridge welder and a welder apprentice. Additionally, a bridge welder has an average salary of $42,281, which is higher than the $34,266 average annual salary of a welder apprentice.

The top three skills for a bridge welder include AWS, arc welding and DOT. The most important skills for a welder apprentice are MIG, hand tools, and arc welding.

Bridge welder vs welder apprentice overview

	Bridge Welder	Welder Apprentice
Yearly salary	$42,281	$34,266
Hourly rate	$20.33	$16.47
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	7,835	14,044
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Bridge welder vs welder apprentice salary

Bridge welders and welder apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Bridge Welder	Welder Apprentice
Average salary	$42,281	$34,266
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $56,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between bridge welder and welder apprentice education

There are a few differences between a bridge welder and a welder apprentice in terms of educational background:

	Bridge Welder	Welder Apprentice
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Bridge welder vs welder apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between bridge welders' and welder apprentices' demographics:

	Bridge Welder	Welder Apprentice
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 98.3% Female, 1.7%	Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between bridge welder and welder apprentice duties and responsibilities

Bridge welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
use of cutting torches when need.
Operate various forms of welding machines to include FCAW, GTAW, SMAW as well as oxy-acetylene torches.
Weld mainly stick, but includes MIG and TIG.
Operate CNC drilling machines as needed.
Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.

Welder apprentice example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Transition from GMAW to GTAW for use on tubular steel and aluminum welding projects.
Experience in utilizing skills in shortarc, Fluxcore, stick and minimal experience in Tig welding.
Operate metal brake, various welding machines, grinders, cutting torches, drills, and portable plasma cutter.
Acquire skill in handling different types of welders and cutting torches and the ability to process from blue prints.
Hook up and set welding SMAW machines.

Bridge welder vs welder apprentice skills

Common bridge welder skills

AWS, 64%
Arc Welding, 13%
DOT, 10%
Torches, 8%
SMAW, 5%

Common welder apprentice skills

MIG, 12%
Hand Tools, 9%
Arc Welding, 7%
Brazing, 4%
Tack, 4%
Safety Equipment, 4%