Line welder vs structural welder

The differences between line welders and structural 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 structural welder. Additionally, a structural welder has an average salary of $42,868, 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 structural welder are SMAW, FCAW, and MIG.

Line welder vs structural welder overview

	Line Welder	Structural Welder
Yearly salary	$31,712	$42,868
Hourly rate	$15.25	$20.61
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	52,702	9,651
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Line welder vs structural welder salary

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

	Line Welder	Structural Welder
Average salary	$31,712	$42,868
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $31,000 And $58,000
Highest paying City	Atlanta, GA	Philadelphia, PA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Massachusetts
Best paying company	ManpowerGroup	Turner Construction
Best paying industry	Automotive	Construction

Differences between line welder and structural welder education

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

	Line Welder	Structural Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Line welder vs structural welder demographics

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

	Line Welder	Structural Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%	Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%
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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between line welder and structural 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.

Structural welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Fabricate and assemble small parts and components with the GMAW, SMAW, FCAW and aluminum weld process.
Bound structural as well as nonstructural parts by means of welding according to drawings using MIG and TIG welding of steel.
Weld, and fabricate pressure vessels using GMAW process.
Fix various stock trailers and other equipment that come in for repairs using FCAW, and GMAW.
Weld separately or in combination using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.

Line welder vs structural welder skills

Common line welder skills

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

Common structural welder skills

SMAW, 9%
FCAW, 8%
MIG, 8%
Arc Welding, 8%
GMAW, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%