What does a combo welder do?
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.
Combo welder responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real combo welder resumes:
- Certify GTAW & GMAW welding on aluminum casting in a production shop.
- Weld structure and pipe FCAW and TIG (carbon steel, stainless steel and aluminum).
- Perform full penetration welds with SMAW and flux core welding applications.
- Have supervised a team of at least 6 skil TIG and MIG welders.
- Start and complete x-ray welds correctly the first time using the GTAW and SMAW weld processes.
- Certify SMAW & GTAW on boiler tube and heaters; blueprint reading and fitting on the boiler construction.
- Sheer, roll, and fuse various styles of pressure vessels that are typically make of stainless steel or aluminum.
- Operate wide variety of equipment including power saws, sanders, grinders, drill press, and basic hand tools.
- Read PNID to mark pipe out for demo.
- Used GMAW to weld skin casing to economizer walls.
- Weld new fuel pipe using SMAW in all positions.
- Weld structural supports and TIG weld pipe according to standards.
- Weld pipe on roll-outs and in position with TIG with carbon and stainless steel.
- Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
- Train as AWS pipe welder.
Combo welder skills and personality traits
We calculated that 13% of Combo Welders are proficient in GMAW, FCAW, and Arc Welding. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Manual dexterity, and Physical strength.
We break down the percentage of Combo Welders that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- GMAW, 13%
Job Description: Welded on Riser using GMAW and SAW.
- FCAW, 10%
Preformed high-quality FCAW for an electrical power plant.
- Arc Welding, 8%
Required to use Gas-Metal Arc, Flux-Cored Arc, Gas-Tungsten Arc, Submerged Arc, or Shielded Metal Arc welding processes.
- Engineering Drawings, 7%
Analyze schematics, engineering drawings and specifications to plan layout, assembly, and welding.
- Carbon Steel, 7%
Install tanks/pumps and pipe as required in materials including carbon steel pipe, sch80 PVC, galvanized and stainless steel.
- MIG, 5%
Have supervised a team of at least 6 skilled TIG and MIG welders.
Common skills that a combo welder uses to do their job include "gmaw," "fcaw," and "arc welding." You can find details on the most important combo welder responsibilities below.
Detail oriented. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a combo welder to have is detail oriented. Their role and responsibilities require that "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers perform precision work, often with straight edges." Combo welders often use detail oriented in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "interpreted isometric drawings, detail drawings and piping and instrumentation diagrams. "
Manual dexterity. Another essential skill to perform combo welder duties is manual dexterity. Combo welders responsibilities require that "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must have a steady hand to hold a torch in place." Combo welders also use manual dexterity in their role according to a real resume snippet: "received training on automatic and manual welding machines using stainless steel tubes, coil tubing, inkanell, and carbon steel. "
Physical strength. combo welders are also known for physical strength, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to combo welder responsibilities, because "welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers must be able to lift heavy pieces of metal and move welding or cutting equipment." A combo welder resume example shows how physical strength is used in the workplace: "hardfaced, sub arc welding, fluxcore welding shoes to develop high strength for winter plow trucks. "
The three companies that hire the most combo welders are:
- Turner Industries5 combo welders jobs
- Robinson Construction Co.4 combo welders jobs
- APTIM4 combo welders jobs
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Compare different combo welders
Combo welder vs. Ship fitter
Ship fitters are civilian or enlisted people who work on materials like high yield strength steel and high-tensile steel. These people fabricate, assemble, and build structural parts of ships. They are the ones who coordinate a fixed tank working on ships and submarines, as well as the sonar dome work. They serve as part of a team composing shipbuilders. It is their duty to lead and assist in welding copper, PVC, flange piping, and steel. They should also refurbish the older rigs with advanced technologies.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between combo welders and ship fitter. For instance, combo welder responsibilities require skills such as "gas welding," "minor maintenance," "lay-out," and "gtaw." Whereas a ship fitter is skilled in "tack-weld," "math," "tack welding," and "tape measure." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Ship fitters really shine in the technology industry with an average salary of $54,661. Comparatively, combo welders tend to make the most money in the construction industry with an average salary of $55,509.On average, ship fitters reach lower levels of education than combo welders. Ship fitters are 6.5% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Combo welder vs. Welder first class
A Pipefitter Welder installs, assembles, fabricates, maintains, and repairs mechanical piping systems. They may also supervise a team of helpers or assistants, and might also be responsible for training them.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that combo welder responsibilities requires skills like "mig," "hand tools," "minor maintenance," and "lay-out." But a welder first class might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "stainless steel," "air arc," "safety guidelines," and "ppe."
Welders first class earn similar levels of education than combo welders in general. They're 4.4% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Combo welder vs. Pipefitter/welder
A Millwright/Welder installs, dismantles, repairs, and moves machinery in factories, power plants, and construction sites. They cut and join metals and other materials.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a combo welder is likely to be skilled in "minor maintenance," "lay-out," "gmaw welding," and "safety rules," while a typical pipefitter/welder is skilled in "plumbing," "hvac," "osha," and "isometric drawings."
Pipefitter/welders typically earn lower educational levels compared to combo welders. Specifically, they're 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 0.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Combo welder vs. Millwright/welder
Types of combo welder
Updated January 8, 2025
