Explore jobs
Find specific jobs
Explore careers
Explore professions
Best companies
Explore companies
The differences between journeyman welders and pipe 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 pipe welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $44,147 average annual salary of a journeyman welder.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a pipe welder are carbon steel, MIG, and hand tools.
| Journeyman Welder | Pipe Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $46,364 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $22.29 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 7,738 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| 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.
According to schematics and analyzing specifications, a pipe welder is responsible for maintaining and repairing pipe systems and components. Pipe welders inspect the quality of the materials, assemble tools for welding preparations, ensure the safety of the welding method and structural units, and strictly adhere to safety operations procedures. They also examine finished welds to identify any defects and perform adjustments as needed. A pipe welder must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to operate machinery and construct a safe piping system.
Journeyman welders and pipe welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | Pipe Welder | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $46,364 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | North Kingstown, RI |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Forum Energy Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a pipe welder in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | Pipe Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman welders' and pipe welders' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | Pipe Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |