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The differences between combo welders and combination 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 combo welder and a combination welder. Additionally, a combo welder has an average salary of $46,985, which is higher than the $45,432 average annual salary of a combination welder.
The top three skills for a combo welder include GMAW, FCAW and arc welding. The most important skills for a combination welder are arc welding, tack, and minor maintenance.
| Combo Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $46,985 | $45,432 |
| Hourly rate | $22.59 | $21.84 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 8,266 | 7,117 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Combo Welder specializes in operating welding equipment to build and maintain structures or systems made of metal. It is also their responsibility to understand and adhere to schematics and guidelines, prepare materials, ensure measurements, and maintain an active communication line with co-workers for a smooth and safe workflow. The extent of their responsibilities depends on their company of employment or project needs. Some projects may also require them to climb up high places, so it is essential to adhere to safety standards and regulations.
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.
Combo welders and combination welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Combo Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Average salary | $46,985 | $45,432 |
| Salary range | Between $34,000 And $64,000 | Between $32,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Olympia, WA | Bremerton, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | SpaceX | Maxum Enterprises, LLC |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a combo welder and a combination welder in terms of educational background:
| Combo Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 38% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between combo welders' and combination welders' demographics:
| Combo Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | 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% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |