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The differences between journeyman welders and maintenance welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a journeyman welder and a maintenance welder. Additionally, a journeyman welder has an average salary of $44,147, which is higher than the $40,659 average annual salary of a maintenance welder.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a maintenance welder are MIG, arc welding, and hand tools.
| Journeyman Welder | Maintenance Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $40,659 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $19.55 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 78,332 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 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 Maintenance Welder diagnoses and repairs a variety of metal work including construction vehicles and equipment. They cut, fit, and weld metal using gas and electric welding equipment.
Journeyman welders and maintenance welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | Maintenance Welder | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $40,659 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $30,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | Renton, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Washington |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | BNSF Railway |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a maintenance welder in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | Maintenance Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 35% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman welders' and maintenance welders' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | Maintenance Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 92.8% Female, 7.2% |
| 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, 10.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |