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The differences between journeyman welders and welder fitters 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 fitter. Additionally, a journeyman welder has an average salary of $44,147, which is higher than the $39,676 average annual salary of a welder fitter.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a welder fitter are MIG, hand tools, and arc welding.
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Fitter | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $39,676 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $19.07 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 8,022 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| 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 Welder Fitter specializes in manipulating steel, aluminum, and other materials into various industries' structural forms. The majority of a welder's responsibilities are mostly manual work, which can have risks as they use torches or lasers for their daily tasks, and there are also instances when they have to climb high structures. Furthermore, a Welder Fitter must have keen attention to detail and communication skills as they must coordinate with fellow workers most of the time.
Journeyman welders and welder fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Fitter | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $39,676 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $28,000 And $55,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | Vancouver, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Jefferson Lab |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Energy |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a welder fitter in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Fitter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman welders' and welder fitters' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Fitter | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9% |
| 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, 10.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |