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The differences between journeyman welders and tig 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 tig welder. Additionally, a journeyman welder has an average salary of $44,147, which is higher than the $38,192 average annual salary of a tig welder.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a tig welder are tig welding, carbon steel, and GTAW.
| Journeyman Welder | TIG Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $38,192 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $18.36 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 7,053 |
| 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.
A tungsten inert gas (TIG) welder is someone who assembles and welds metal parts for use in manufacturing or construction projects. The duties and responsibilities of a TIG welder include ensuring the quality of metal parts before assembling them, reading and interpreting blueprints, and observing safety procedures. The requirements to qualify for the position include knowledge of metallurgy, good hand-eye coordination, and good mathematical skills. A high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certification is the minimum education requirement for the job.
Journeyman welders and tig welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | TIG Welder | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $38,192 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $29,000 And $49,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | Tualatin, OR |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Alfa Laval |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Retail |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a tig welder in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | TIG 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 tig welders' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | TIG Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% |
| 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, 9.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.9% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |