Machine welder vs machine operator

The differences between machine welders and machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a machine operator has an average salary of $32,874, 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 machine operator are basic math, CNC, and math.

Machine welder vs machine operator overview

	Machine Welder	Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$31,852	$32,874
Hourly rate	$15.31	$15.80
Growth rate	2%	-6%
Number of jobs	37,692	96,834
Job satisfaction	-	5
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	40	44
Years of experience	4	-

Machine welder vs machine operator salary

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

	Machine Welder	Machine Operator
Average salary	$31,852	$32,874
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $26,000 And $40,000
Highest paying City	-	Minneapolis, MN
Highest paying state	-	Minnesota
Best paying company	-	BD
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between machine welder and machine operator education

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

	Machine Welder	Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Machine welder vs machine operator demographics

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

	Machine Welder	Machine Operator
Average age	40	44
Gender ratio	Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%	Male, 72.3% Female, 27.7%
Race ratio	Black 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, 12.0% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 16.0% Asian, 7.5% White, 60.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage	3%	5%

Differences between machine welder and 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.

Machine operator example responsibilities.

Conduct preventative maintenance checks on industrial brake manufacturing machines and forklifts.
Follow company and safety procedures using industrial chemicals and PPE to efficiently clean and sanitize all equipment.
Operate forklift and bobcat as needed.
Run a line in a PVC pipe production plant.
Operate machinery including forklift, bobcat and various power tools.
Provide leadership to others through example and sharing of knowledge/skill.

Machine welder vs machine operator skills

Common machine welder skills

MIG, 14%
Aluminum, 10%
GMAW, 9%
Calipers, 8%
Carbon Steel, 8%
FCAW, 8%

Common machine operator skills

Basic Math, 11%
CNC, 9%
Math, 9%
Safety Procedures, 8%
Machine Operation, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%