Line welder vs lead welder

The differences between line welders and lead 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 line welder and a lead welder. Additionally, a lead welder has an average salary of $45,718, which is higher than the $31,712 average annual salary of a line welder.

The top three skills for a line welder include MIG, tack and safety equipment. The most important skills for a lead welder are aluminum, stainless steel, and safety equipment.

Line welder vs lead welder overview

	Line Welder	Lead Welder
Yearly salary	$31,712	$45,718
Hourly rate	$15.25	$21.98
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	52,702	8,274
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 39%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Line welder vs lead welder salary

Line welders and lead welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Line Welder	Lead Welder
Average salary	$31,712	$45,718
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $33,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	Atlanta, GA	-
Highest paying state	Wyoming	-
Best paying company	ManpowerGroup	-
Best paying industry	Automotive	-

Differences between line welder and lead welder education

There are a few differences between a line welder and a lead welder in terms of educational background:

	Line Welder	Lead Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 39%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Line welder vs lead welder demographics

Here are the differences between line welders' and lead welders' demographics:

	Line Welder	Lead Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%	Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.3% Asian, 3.1% White, 64.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.9% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between line welder and lead welder duties and responsibilities

Line welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Assemble Honda computer frames with robotic and MIG welders.
Experience in auto body repair RSW, GMAW, FCAW welding and assembly
Hire on full time by Toyota
Programme system for welding robotic arms.
Weld frames rails and brackets for Toyota lines.

Lead welder example responsibilities.

Create weekly work schedules, process payroll information, manage inventory counts and job cost for each project.
Certify in restaurant grade stainless steel and aluminum TIG welding, carbon stick welding and stainless and carbon MIG welding.
Weld with solid wire (GMAW), flux core (FCAW) and stick (SMAW).
Used MIG and TIG welding to fit electrical and mechanical components.
Execute daily operations of MIG, and TIG welding, and rework welding.
Develop and record documentation for PQR's and WPS's.

Line welder vs lead welder skills

Common line welder skills

MIG, 37%
Tack, 10%
Safety Equipment, 9%
Tape Measure, 6%
Torches, 6%
Jigs, 5%

Common lead welder skills

Aluminum, 7%
Stainless Steel, 7%
Safety Equipment, 6%
Blueprint Specifications, 5%
GMAW, 5%
Tig Welding, 5%