Formation testing operator vs weld inspector

The differences between formation testing operators and weld inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a weld inspector has an average salary of $50,441, which is higher than the $35,197 average annual salary of a formation testing operator.

The top three skills for a formation testing operator include customer specifications, color accuracy and battery cells. The most important skills for a weld inspector are pipeline project, NDT, and NDE.

Formation testing operator vs weld inspector overview

	Formation Testing Operator	Weld Inspector
Yearly salary	$35,197	$50,441
Hourly rate	$16.92	$24.25
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	27,193	16,559
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 32%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Formation testing operator vs weld inspector salary

Formation testing operators and weld inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Formation Testing Operator	Weld Inspector
Average salary	$35,197	$50,441
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $47,000	Between $33,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between formation testing operator and weld inspector education

There are a few differences between a formation testing operator and a weld inspector in terms of educational background:

	Formation Testing Operator	Weld Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 37%	High School Diploma, 32%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Formation testing operator vs weld inspector demographics

Here are the differences between formation testing operators' and weld inspectors' demographics:

	Formation Testing Operator	Weld Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 93.5% Female, 6.5%	Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.3% Hispanic or Latino, 25.5% Asian, 6.9% White, 52.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between formation testing operator and weld inspector duties and responsibilities

Formation testing operator example responsibilities.

Provide assistance with file conversions using metaprint and AutoCAD.
Implement tool control and OSHA safety regulations while working independently on various machinery.
Experience with laminating, extrusion and multi-color printing.

Weld inspector example responsibilities.

Inspect all coating application to ensure proper application and WFT is achieved per clients and manufacturers specifications and standards.
Instruct current and new welders in drawing and WPS reading.
Monitor compliance with WPS, specifications, codes, and standards.
Review shop drawings while performing tasks according to specifications of SMAW type welding
Record all detail defects for use in the future with FDA regulations.
Inspect FBE coating on final bench and calibrations of all test equipment.

Formation testing operator vs weld inspector skills

Common formation testing operator skills

Customer Specifications, 57%
Color Accuracy, 40%
Battery Cells, 3%

Common weld inspector skills

Pipeline Project, 9%
NDT, 8%
NDE, 7%
Inspect Welds, 7%
PT, 6%
Tie-Ins, 5%

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Formation Testing Operator
Formation Testing Operator vs Weld Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

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