Line welder vs welder helper

The differences between line 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 line welder and a welder helper. Additionally, a line welder has an average salary of $31,712, which is higher than the $29,684 average annual salary of a welder helper.

The top three skills for a line welder include MIG, tack and safety equipment. The most important skills for a welder helper are grind welds, MIG, and grinders.

Line welder vs welder helper overview

	Line Welder	Welder Helper
Yearly salary	$31,712	$29,684
Hourly rate	$15.25	$14.27
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	52,702	21,605
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 60%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Line welder vs welder helper salary

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

	Line Welder	Welder Helper
Average salary	$31,712	$29,684
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $22,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Atlanta, GA	Bakersfield, CA
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Wyoming
Best paying company	ManpowerGroup	Kiewit
Best paying industry	Automotive	Construction

Differences between line welder and welder helper education

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

	Line Welder	Welder Helper
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 56%	High School Diploma, 60%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Line welder vs welder helper demographics

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

	Line Welder	Welder Helper
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.5% Female, 13.5%	Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%
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, 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%

Differences between line welder and welder helper 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 helper example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Weld structural material including carbon steel and stainless steel using SMAW, and MIG processes.
Perform welder duties using SMAW, PAC, GMAW, oxy-fuel cutting, and GTAW processes.
Work on vessels welding using SMAW and FCAW
Can also Tig weld and use the process FCAW
Perform welder helper duties using electric, oxyacetylene, MIG and TIG welding processes.

Line welder vs welder helper skills

Common line welder skills

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

Common welder helper skills

Grind Welds, 10%
MIG, 9%
Grinders, 9%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Arc Welding, 7%
GMAW, 6%