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The differences between journeyman welders and structural 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 structural welder. Additionally, a journeyman welder has an average salary of $44,147, which is higher than the $42,868 average annual salary of a structural welder.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a structural welder are SMAW, FCAW, and MIG.
| Journeyman Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $42,868 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $20.61 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 9,651 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| 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.
The job of structural welders is to design, layout, and fabricate the metal framework for industrial and commercial buildings. They work for a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction. Their duties and responsibilities include testing welding and safety equipment, cutting, assembling, repairing building components such as girders and beams, and checking for gap and angle allowances. They either use manual or automated equipment to perform some of these tasks, such as power saws for cutting metals. Structural welders are also responsible for assessing the condition of the equipment.
Journeyman welders and structural welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $42,868 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $31,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Turner Construction |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a structural welder in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman welders' and structural welders' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1% |
| 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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |