Fabrication operator vs welder-machine operator

The differences between fabrication operators and welder-machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a welder-machine operator has an average salary of $37,171, which is higher than the $31,772 average annual salary of a fabrication operator.

The top three skills for a fabrication operator include tape measure, hand tools and calipers. The most important skills for a welder-machine operator are arc welding, safety equipment, and stainless steel.

Fabrication operator vs welder-machine operator overview

	Fabrication Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$31,772	$37,171
Hourly rate	$15.28	$17.87
Growth rate	-5%	-5%
Number of jobs	56,825	68,316
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	-	6

Fabrication operator vs welder-machine operator salary

Fabrication operators and welder-machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Fabrication Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average salary	$31,772	$37,171
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Mankato, MN	Fontana, CA
Highest paying state	North Dakota	Nevada
Best paying company	Sanmina	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	Technology	Technology

Differences between fabrication operator and welder-machine operator education

There are a few differences between a fabrication operator and a welder-machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Fabrication Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 36%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	Dunwoody College of Technology

Fabrication operator vs welder-machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between fabrication operators' and welder-machine operators' demographics:

	Fabrication Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 77.6% Female, 22.4%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.5% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 15.5% Asian, 9.4% White, 58.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	5%	3%

Differences between fabrication operator and welder-machine operator duties and responsibilities

Fabrication operator example responsibilities.

Coordinate with engineers and supervisor for setting up Amada press brake, forming sheet metal chassis and parts for productions.
Operate any coil fabrication machine producing aluminum coils.
Monitor, control and operate computerized wafer equipment for the inspection, etching or alignment of integrate circuits.
Perform duties in accordance with GMP principles.
Shape metal material over anvils, blocks, or other forms, using hand tools.

Welder-machine operator example responsibilities.

Weld required parts using GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW.
Require to weld a wide veriety of assemblies, fabricate parts and maintain equipment and fixtures employing GMAW and GTAW techniques.
Operate the welding robots and do rework with the MIG welder.
Weld both steel and aluminum pressure tanks for both train and truck air brake systems.
Dismantle metal assemblies and cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
Position, align, fit, and weld together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.

Fabrication operator vs welder-machine operator skills

Common fabrication operator skills

Tape Measure, 12%
Hand Tools, 9%
Calipers, 7%
Grinders, 6%
MIG, 5%
Customer Satisfaction, 4%

Common welder-machine operator skills

Arc Welding, 7%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Stainless Steel, 6%
CNC, 6%
Tig Welding, 5%
Tape Measure, 5%

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Fabrication Operator
Fabrication Operator vs Welder-Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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