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Industrial welder vs welder apprentice

The differences between industrial welders and welder apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both an industrial welder and a welder apprentice. Additionally, an industrial welder has an average salary of $45,427, which is higher than the $34,266 average annual salary of a welder apprentice.

The top three skills for an industrial welder include MIG, arc welding and stainless steel. The most important skills for a welder apprentice are MIG, hand tools, and arc welding.

Industrial welder vs welder apprentice overview

Industrial WelderWelder Apprentice
Yearly salary$45,427$34,266
Hourly rate$21.84$16.47
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs15,58914,044
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 53%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Industrial welder vs welder apprentice salary

Industrial welders and welder apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.

Industrial WelderWelder Apprentice
Average salary$45,427$34,266
Salary rangeBetween $33,000 And $61,000Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City--
Highest paying state--
Best paying company--
Best paying industry--

Differences between industrial welder and welder apprentice education

There are a few differences between an industrial welder and a welder apprentice in terms of educational background:

Industrial WelderWelder Apprentice
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 33%High School Diploma, 53%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Industrial welder vs welder apprentice demographics

Here are the differences between industrial welders' and welder apprentices' demographics:

Industrial WelderWelder Apprentice
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 93.4% Female, 6.6%Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.7% Asian, 3.0% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between industrial welder and welder apprentice duties and responsibilities

Industrial welder example responsibilities.

  • Cut metal using acetylene and plasma torches.
  • Gain experience with materials ranging from PVC to hastelloy.
  • Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
  • Weld taillights in a machine vibrating welder for car companies such as Hyundai and Chrysler!

Welder apprentice example responsibilities.

  • Manage and run production parts through the brake.
  • Transition from GMAW to GTAW for use on tubular steel and aluminum welding projects.
  • Experience in utilizing skills in shortarc, Fluxcore, stick and minimal experience in Tig welding.
  • Operate metal brake, various welding machines, grinders, cutting torches, drills, and portable plasma cutter.
  • Acquire skill in handling different types of welders and cutting torches and the ability to process from blue prints.
  • Hook up and set welding SMAW machines.
  • Show more

Industrial welder vs welder apprentice skills

Common industrial welder skills
  • MIG, 20%
  • Arc Welding, 14%
  • Stainless Steel, 10%
  • Jigs, 9%
  • Spot Welding, 9%
  • GMAW, 6%
Common welder apprentice skills
  • MIG, 12%
  • Hand Tools, 9%
  • Arc Welding, 7%
  • Brazing, 4%
  • Tack, 4%
  • Safety Equipment, 4%

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