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Machine welder vs general machine operator

The differences between machine welders and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general machine operator has an average salary of $32,414, which is higher than the $31,852 average annual salary of a machine welder.

The top three skills for a machine welder include MIG, aluminum and GMAW. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Machine welder vs general machine operator overview

Machine WelderGeneral Machine Operator
Yearly salary$31,852$32,414
Hourly rate$15.31$15.58
Growth rate2%7%
Number of jobs37,692138,111
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4044
Years of experience4-

Machine welder vs general machine operator salary

Machine welders and general machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Machine WelderGeneral Machine Operator
Average salary$31,852$32,414
Salary rangeBetween $25,000 And $39,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City-Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state-Wisconsin
Best paying company-Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry-Finance

Differences between machine welder and general machine operator education

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

Machine WelderGeneral Machine Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common college--

Machine welder vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between machine welders' and general machine operators' demographics:

Machine WelderGeneral Machine Operator
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 81.7% Female, 18.3%Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 3.2% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage3%5%

Differences between machine welder and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Machine welder example responsibilities.

  • Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
  • Perform various tasks requiring MIG welding and TIG welding.
  • Weld metal parts and components together, using brazing, gas and arc welding equipment.
  • Stick and mig weld when machine go down.
  • Help position and clamp workpieces together and assemble them in jigs and fixtures.23.
  • Calculate dimensions and tolerances using knowledge of mathematics and instruments such as micrometers and vernier calipers.
  • Show more

General machine operator example responsibilities.

  • Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
  • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
  • Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Machine welder vs general machine operator skills

Common machine welder skills
  • MIG, 14%
  • Aluminum, 10%
  • GMAW, 9%
  • Calipers, 8%
  • Carbon Steel, 8%
  • FCAW, 8%
Common general machine operator skills
  • Math, 12%
  • CNC, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Production Process, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%

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