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The differences between line welders and welders first class 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 welder first class. Additionally, a welder first class has an average salary of $45,016, 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 welder first class are flux core, arc welding, and SMAW.
| Line Welder | Welder First Class | |
| Yearly salary | $31,712 | $45,016 |
| Hourly rate | $15.25 | $21.64 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 52,702 | 38,450 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Line welders and welders first class have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Line Welder | Welder First Class | |
| Average salary | $31,712 | $45,016 |
| Salary range | Between $25,000 And $39,000 | Between $33,000 And $60,000 |
| Highest paying City | Atlanta, GA | - |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | - |
| Best paying company | ManpowerGroup | - |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | - |
There are a few differences between a line welder and a welder first class in terms of educational background:
| Line Welder | Welder First Class | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 56% | High School Diploma, 43% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between line welders' and welders first class' demographics:
| Line Welder | Welder First Class | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5% | Male, 92.7% Female, 7.3% |
| 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, 10.7% 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% |