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Certified welding inspector vs inspector

The differences between certified welding inspectors and inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified welding inspector has an average salary of $47,494, which is higher than the $38,757 average annual salary of an inspector.

The top three skills for a certified welding inspector include CWI, PT and structural steel. The most important skills for an inspector are sketch, good communication, and magnetic particle.

Certified welding inspector vs inspector overview

Certified Welding InspectorInspector
Yearly salary$47,494$38,757
Hourly rate$22.83$18.63
Growth rate-3%-3%
Number of jobs50,81417,670
Job satisfaction-4
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 34%
Average age4545
Years of experience--

What does a certified welding inspector do?

A certified welding inspector is primarily in charge of inspecting welding works, ensuring its' strength and quality. Their responsibilities also entail checking safety equipment and materials, understanding project requirements, testing welds to ensure it functions according to its purpose, and evaluating the daily operations of welders to ensure that they adhere to the safety standards and regulations while operating various tools and equipment. Moreover, a certified welding inspector also helps welders by developing welding techniques to optimize operations, teaching the correct welding practices, and maintaining the cleanliness of work areas.

What does an inspector do?

An inspector is responsible for overseeing the overall condition of the site, ensuring that it complies with the safety standards and regulations. Inspectors' duties include monitoring the quality of the materials used, inspecting any defects and discrepancies that might compromise the operations, generating reports to assess the product costing if it meets the budget goals, and utilizing available resources in the market for the highest quality project. An inspector must have excellent decision-making and critical-thinking skills to perform comprehensive actions on risk management and service delivery.

Certified welding inspector vs inspector salary

Certified welding inspectors and inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

Certified Welding InspectorInspector
Average salary$47,494$38,757
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $72,000Between $27,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City-Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state-Louisiana
Best paying company-Los Alamos National Laboratory
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between certified welding inspector and inspector education

There are a few differences between a certified welding inspector and an inspector in terms of educational background:

Certified Welding InspectorInspector
Most common degreeAssociate Degree, 31%High School Diploma, 34%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common college--

Certified welding inspector vs inspector demographics

Here are the differences between certified welding inspectors' and inspectors' demographics:

Certified Welding InspectorInspector
Average age4545
Gender ratioMale, 89.0% Female, 11.0%Male, 61.7% Female, 38.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 4.5% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 56.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage4%4%

Differences between certified welding inspector and inspector duties and responsibilities

Certified welding inspector example responsibilities.

  • Verify all welders are within approve WPS parameters using the GTAW, FCAW, SMAW and GMAW welding processes.
  • Inspect construction projects to ensure adherence to AISC requirements for clients of 3rd party NDT visual and ultrasonic testing company.
  • Experience welder in FCAW, TIG, SMAW with AWS D1.1 Certification.
  • Log all welds, schedule all NDE, develop weld procedures, test welders, perform all visual inspections on welds.
  • Qualify PQR's to the applicable codes.
  • Weld various types of metals using MIG and TIG.
  • Show more

Inspector example responsibilities.

  • Follow all regulations including OSHA, safety, PPE, JSA and ISO.
  • Deliver thorough QA testing reports that determine product quality and release readiness.
  • Operate and maintain laboratory testing equipment; micrometers, calipers and air gauges to analyze material for conformance to product specifications.
  • Utilize maps and GPS and markers when need
  • Require knowledge of all safety measures and JSA's.
  • Shovel inspector for two 2300 MKII's and 7495 CAT/Bucyrus shovels.
  • Show more

Certified welding inspector vs inspector skills

Common certified welding inspector skills
  • CWI, 10%
  • PT, 10%
  • Structural Steel, 9%
  • NDT, 8%
  • Inspection Reports, 6%
  • Level II, 5%
Common inspector skills
  • Sketch, 7%
  • Good Communication, 7%
  • Magnetic Particle, 6%
  • Customer Service, 6%
  • Calipers, 6%
  • Safety Standards, 5%

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