Heading machine operator vs welder-machine operator

The differences between heading machine operators and welder-machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a heading machine operator has an average salary of $38,675, which is higher than the $37,171 average annual salary of a welder-machine operator.

The top three skills for a heading machine operator include hand tools, production run and CNC. The most important skills for a welder-machine operator are arc welding, safety equipment, and stainless steel.

Heading machine operator vs welder-machine operator overview

	Heading Machine Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$38,675	$37,171
Hourly rate	$18.59	$17.87
Growth rate	7%	-5%
Number of jobs	59,193	68,316
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	-	6

Heading machine operator vs welder-machine operator salary

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

	Heading Machine Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average salary	$38,675	$37,171
Salary range	Between $12,000 And $121,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	Fontana, CA
Highest paying state	-	Nevada
Best paying company	-	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between heading machine operator and welder-machine operator education

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

	Heading Machine Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 45%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	Dunwoody College of Technology

Heading machine operator vs welder-machine operator demographics

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

	Heading Machine Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 11.7% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.3% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%	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 heading machine operator and welder-machine operator duties and responsibilities

Heading machine operator example responsibilities.

Use automate systems and RF units to pull, put away and load customer product, in addition to managing inventory
Set up, run and programe CNC machining centers using set up sheets.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.

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.

Heading machine operator vs welder-machine operator skills

Common heading machine operator skills

Hand Tools, 31%
Production RUN, 23%
CNC, 20%
Calipers, 14%
RAN, 3%
Embroidery, 2%

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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Production and Manufacturing Industry
Heading Machine Operator
Heading Machine Operator vs Welder-Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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