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The differences between journeyman welders and welder helpers 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 helper. Additionally, a journeyman welder has an average salary of $44,147, which is higher than the $29,684 average annual salary of a welder helper.
The top three skills for a journeyman welder include MIG, brazing and jigs. The most important skills for a welder helper are grind welds, MIG, and grinders.
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $44,147 | $29,684 |
| Hourly rate | $21.22 | $14.27 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 11,077 | 21,605 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 60% |
| 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 helper's role is to perform support tasks for lead welders at a construction site or similar setting. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around setting up and preparing rigs, operating devices and tools, maintaining the workspace's cleanliness, and following orders from lead welders. There may also be instances where a welder helper must pre-heat materials, lift heavy objects, participate in loading and unloading packages, and ensure that the welders are equipped with the necessary tools. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with managers and adhere to the site's safety regulations and policies.
Journeyman welders and welder helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Average salary | $44,147 | $29,684 |
| Salary range | Between $31,000 And $61,000 | Between $22,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | Spokane, WA | Bakersfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Clearwater Paper | Kiewit |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a journeyman welder and a welder helper in terms of educational background:
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 37% | High School Diploma, 60% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between journeyman welders' and welder helpers' demographics:
| Journeyman Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.4% Female, 3.6% | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% |
| 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, 8.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 26.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |