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The differences between journeyman welders and 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 welder. Additionally, a journeyman welder has an average salary of $44,147, which is higher than the $39,696 average annual salary of a welder.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a welder are arc welding, aluminum, and hand tools.
| Journeyman Welder | Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $39,696 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $19.08 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 9,463 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 4.25 |
| 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.
Welders are skilled workers who primarily work on metals and other metalworks. One of the most commonly known activities that welders do is fusing materials that are made of metal. They usually work on buildings, large pipes, and cars. They also fix holes or any other imperfection on metal materials. They do these by applying heat using welding torches or any other special tools that they have. Welders are also responsible for studying blueprints related to the items they will work on, ensuring that all needed materials are available, practicing occupational safety and health protocols, and maintaining the welding tools they use.
Journeyman welders and welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | Welder | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $39,696 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $29,000 And $54,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | Woburn, MA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | California Resources |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a welder in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | 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 welders' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1% |
| 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, 10.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.0% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |