Line welder vs welder fitter

The differences between line 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 line welder and a welder fitter. Additionally, a welder fitter has an average salary of $39,676, 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 fitter are MIG, hand tools, and arc welding.

Line welder vs welder fitter overview

	Line Welder	Welder Fitter
Yearly salary	$31,712	$39,676
Hourly rate	$15.25	$19.07
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	52,702	8,022
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 43%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Line welder vs welder fitter salary

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

	Line Welder	Welder Fitter
Average salary	$31,712	$39,676
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $28,000 And $55,000
Highest paying City	Atlanta, GA	Vancouver, WA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Massachusetts
Best paying company	ManpowerGroup	Jefferson Lab
Best paying industry	Automotive	Energy

Differences between line welder and welder fitter education

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

	Line Welder	Welder Fitter
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 43%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Line welder vs welder fitter demographics

Here are the differences between line welders' and welder fitters' demographics:

	Line Welder	Welder Fitter
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%	Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9%
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%

Differences between line welder and welder fitter 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.

Welder fitter example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Align parts in relation to each other, using jacks, turnbuckles, clips, wedges, and mauls.
Align and fit according to specifications using jacks, turnbuckles, wedges, drift pins, pry bars and hammers.
Weld and fit per drawing: GTAW aluminum, stainless, steel, and copper-nickel pipe.
Fabricate parts and equipment using GTAW process on thin metals such as aluminum & other precious metals.
Manufacture mobile home frames using fixtures, heat beam for a perfect chamber while applying welding procedures of SMAW and GMAW.

Line welder vs welder fitter skills

Common line welder skills

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

Common welder fitter skills

MIG, 13%
Hand Tools, 7%
Arc Welding, 5%
GMAW, 5%
Aluminum, 5%
Stainless Steel, 5%