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The differences between combination welders and mig welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a combination welder and a mig welder. Additionally, a combination welder has an average salary of $45,432, which is higher than the $35,476 average annual salary of a mig welder.
The top three skills for a combination welder include arc welding, tack and minor maintenance. The most important skills for a mig welder are tape measure, arc welding, and jigs.
| Combination Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $45,432 | $35,476 |
| Hourly rate | $21.84 | $17.06 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,117 | 7,051 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Combination welders are the ones who prepare the welding materials to weld together metal components and maintain their equipment, such as a welding torch, grinder, or thermal cutters. They should know the various processes like oxy-fuel welding, arc welding, etc., to weld various metal components. Before starting their torches, they position the metals to stay in place using clamps. These welders work to fabricate or repair cracks, holes or increase the size of metal products like machine parts, plant equipment, automobiles, etc.
The MIG welder is responsible for creating metal projects using inert gas welding techniques and electric arc processes. MIG welders carefully fuse metal components, avoiding contamination on the weld, as well as managing the metal bond defects. They analyze specifications, interpret blueprints, and operate various machine tools and equipment for accurate measuring and cutting. The MIG welder should strictly follow the safety procedures at all times during operations to avoid hazards in the workplace, including the proper storage and cleaning of welding tools and materials.
Combination welders and mig welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Combination Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Average salary | $45,432 | $35,476 |
| Salary range | Between $32,000 And $62,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bremerton, WA | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Maxum Enterprises, LLC | Invacare |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a combination welder and a mig welder in terms of educational background:
| Combination Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 36% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between combination welders' and mig welders' demographics:
| Combination Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 2.6% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.0% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |