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The differences between journeyman welders and fabricators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a journeyman welder has an average salary of $44,147, which is higher than the $34,922 average annual salary of a fabricator.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a fabricator are hand tools, basic math, and calipers.
| Journeyman Welder | Fabricator | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $34,922 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $16.79 |
| Growth rate | 2% | -1% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 7,772 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
The job of a journeyman welder is to bond the different types of metal to create larger, industrial pipes. Typical duties include operating welding equipment, ensuring a safe working environment, and reading blueprints. You are also responsible for welding metal parts and designing and building fixtures. To become a successful journeyman welder, you must complete an apprenticeship or a training program. In addition, you must also have previous work experience, technical skills, and in-depth knowledge of all relevant terminology and industry computer software.
A fabricator specializes in manufacturing and assembling equipment or devices, ensuring every product's quality and efficiency. There are instances when a fabricator is required to make multiple gears, conduct verification processes on product schematics and specifications, perform quality control inspections, and test the product in different environments. Furthermore, a fabricator needs to coordinate with all workforce members to remain informed on any changes or updates in the production operations while adhering to the company's policies and safety standards.
Journeyman welders and fabricators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | Fabricator | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $34,922 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $27,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | Las Vegas, NV |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Danaher |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Finance |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a fabricator in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | Fabricator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 44% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman welders' and fabricators' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | Fabricator | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 19.2% Asian, 3.1% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.8% | Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.0% Asian, 8.1% White, 58.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 5% |