Machine tool operator vs welder-machine operator

The differences between machine tool operators and welder-machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 1-2 years to become a machine tool operator, becoming a welder-machine operator takes usually requires 3-6 months. Additionally, a welder-machine operator has an average salary of $37,171, which is higher than the $36,999 average annual salary of a machine tool operator.

The top three skills for a machine tool operator include hand tools, cnc machines and machine tools. The most important skills for a welder-machine operator are arc welding, safety equipment, and stainless steel.

Machine tool operator vs welder-machine operator overview

	Machine Tool Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$36,999	$37,171
Hourly rate	$17.79	$17.87
Growth rate	-8%	-5%
Number of jobs	66,471	68,316
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	43	40
Years of experience	2	6

Machine tool operator vs welder-machine operator salary

Machine tool operators and welder-machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Machine Tool Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average salary	$36,999	$37,171
Salary range	Between $10,000 And $128,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	Garfield, NJ	Fontana, CA
Highest paying state	California	Nevada
Best paying company	NOV	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between machine tool operator and welder-machine operator education

There are a few differences between a machine tool operator and a welder-machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Machine Tool Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Most common degree	Associate Degree, 35%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Business	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	Dunwoody College of Technology

Machine tool operator vs welder-machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between machine tool operators' and welder-machine operators' demographics:

	Machine Tool Operator	Welder-Machine Operator
Average age	43	40
Gender ratio	Male, 89.8% Female, 10.2%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 4.9% Unknown, 5.4% Hispanic or Latino, 14.7% Asian, 6.0% White, 68.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	6%	3%

Differences between machine tool operator and welder-machine operator duties and responsibilities

Machine tool operator example responsibilities.

Operate Fanuc controls for Mori-Seki and Okuma CNC lathes.
Perform duties in compliance with ISO, QS-9000 and TQM principles and standards.
Adhere to GMP and HACCP plans within regulations.
Execute rig up and the maintenance of wellhead isolation tools as well as high-pressure well controls.
Set up and operate: lathes, mills, grinders, screw machines and electrical disintegration machines.
Perform various validation techniques using measuring instruments such as micrometers and calipers.

Welder-machine operator example responsibilities.

Weld required parts using GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW.
Require to weld a wide veriety of assemblies, fabricate parts and maintain equipment and fixtures employing GMAW and GTAW techniques.
Operate the welding robots and do rework with the MIG welder.
Weld both steel and aluminum pressure tanks for both train and truck air brake systems.
Dismantle metal assemblies and cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
Position, align, fit, and weld together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.

Machine tool operator vs welder-machine operator skills

Common machine tool operator skills

Hand Tools, 16%
CNC Machines, 10%
Machine Tools, 10%
Grinders, 9%
Drill Presses, 8%
Rig, 7%

Common welder-machine operator skills

Arc Welding, 7%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Stainless Steel, 6%
CNC, 6%
Tig Welding, 5%
Tape Measure, 5%

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Machine Tool Operator
Machine Tool Operator vs Welder-Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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