Gauge operator vs certified welding inspector

The differences between gauge operators and certified welding inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a certified welding inspector has an average salary of $47,494, which is higher than the $37,803 average annual salary of a gauge operator.

The top three skills for a gauge operator include hand tools, CNC and . The most important skills for a certified welding inspector are CWI, PT, and structural steel.

Gauge operator vs certified welding inspector overview

	Gauge Operator	Certified Welding Inspector
Yearly salary	$37,803	$47,494
Hourly rate	$18.17	$22.83
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	30,482	50,814
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Associate Degree, 31%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Gauge operator vs certified welding inspector salary

Gauge operators and certified welding inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Gauge Operator	Certified Welding Inspector
Average salary	$37,803	$47,494
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $50,000	Between $31,000 And $72,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between gauge operator and certified welding inspector education

There are a few differences between a gauge operator and a certified welding inspector in terms of educational background:

	Gauge Operator	Certified Welding Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 35%	Associate Degree, 31%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Gauge operator vs certified welding inspector demographics

Here are the differences between gauge operators' and certified welding inspectors' demographics:

	Gauge Operator	Certified Welding Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 88.5% Female, 11.5%	Male, 89.0% Female, 11.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.2% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 7.2% White, 53.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 4.6% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 57.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.8%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between gauge operator and certified welding inspector duties and responsibilities

Gauge operator example responsibilities.

Review and interpret part prints and datum schemes in the production of subframes for BMW and Mercedes.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.
Operate heavy machinery such as bobcat equipment and also operate and pave asphalt perform demolition work.

Certified welding inspector example responsibilities.

Verify all welders are within approve WPS parameters using the GTAW, FCAW, SMAW and GMAW welding processes.
Inspect construction projects to ensure adherence to AISC requirements for clients of 3rd party NDT visual and ultrasonic testing company.
Experience welder in FCAW, TIG, SMAW with AWS D1.1 Certification.
Log all welds, schedule all NDE, develop weld procedures, test welders, perform all visual inspections on welds.
Qualify PQR's to the applicable codes.
Weld various types of metals using MIG and TIG.

Gauge operator vs certified welding inspector skills

Common gauge operator skills

Hand Tools, 55%
CNC, 45%

Common certified welding inspector skills

CWI, 10%
PT, 10%
Structural Steel, 9%
NDT, 8%
Inspection Reports, 6%
Level II, 5%

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Gauge Operator
Gauge Operator vs Certified Welding Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

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