Furnace operator vs welder operator

The differences between furnace operators and welder operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a furnace operator has an average salary of $35,972, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

The top three skills for a furnace operator include math, basic math and cranes. The most important skills for a welder operator are MIG, arc welding, and hand tools.

Furnace operator vs welder operator overview

	Furnace Operator	Welder Operator
Yearly salary	$35,972	$31,669
Hourly rate	$17.29	$15.23
Growth rate	-5%	2%
Number of jobs	58,975	51,229
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	-	4

Furnace operator vs welder operator salary

Furnace operators and welder operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Furnace Operator	Welder Operator
Average salary	$35,972	$31,669
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $44,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Rochester, NY	Chicopee, MA
Highest paying state	New York	Wyoming
Best paying company	BWX Technologies	Capco
Best paying industry	Technology	Automotive

Differences between furnace operator and welder operator education

There are a few differences between a furnace operator and a welder operator in terms of educational background:

	Furnace Operator	Welder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Furnace operator vs welder operator demographics

Here are the differences between furnace operators' and welder operators' demographics:

	Furnace Operator	Welder Operator
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 92.6% Female, 7.4%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 3.6% White, 62.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	7%	3%

Differences between furnace operator and welder operator duties and responsibilities

Furnace operator example responsibilities.

Lead and coordinate team in all aspects of operation in an aluminum blast furnace.
Manage the master calendar and schedule resources such as communication equipment, weapons, transportation and ammunition forecast and delivery.
Operate ABB robotic cell by loading parts on fixtures to be weld together.
Maintain safety measures and PPE.
Complete minor touch ups with MIG welders.
Spray arc welding utilizing gas shield MIG.

Welder operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.

Furnace operator vs welder operator skills

Common furnace operator skills

Math, 9%
Basic Math, 9%
Cranes, 9%
Preventative Maintenance, 9%
Safety Procedures, 5%
Brazing, 5%

Common welder operator skills

MIG, 12%
Arc Welding, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
GMAW, 5%