Machine welder vs pipe welder

The differences between machine welders and pipe welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a machine welder and a pipe welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, 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 pipe welder are carbon steel, MIG, and hand tools.

Machine welder vs pipe welder overview

	Machine Welder	Pipe Welder
Yearly salary	$31,852	$46,364
Hourly rate	$15.31	$22.29
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	37,692	7,738
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Machine welder vs pipe welder salary

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

	Machine Welder	Pipe Welder
Average salary	$31,852	$46,364
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $39,000	Between $33,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	-	North Kingstown, RI
Highest paying state	-	Alaska
Best paying company	-	Forum Energy Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between machine welder and pipe welder education

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

	Machine Welder	Pipe Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 55%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Machine welder vs pipe welder demographics

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

	Machine Welder	Pipe Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 81.7% Female, 18.3%	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between machine welder and pipe welder 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.

Pipe welder example responsibilities.

Silver solder, TIG, SMAW, GMAW, FCAW weld mild steel stainless steel aluminum and copper nickel respectively.
Weld carbon and stainless steel pipe in position and roll out machines utilizing GTAW, GMAW, FCAW and SMAW processes.
Skil in all types of welding, including MIG, TIG, stick, aluminum and stainless steel.
Work with TIG and MIG welding systems, as well as forklifts and overhead cranes up to 30 tons.
Work safely under OSHA safety and PPE standards.
Used aluminum GMAW for structural supports and some larger fabrications.

Machine welder vs pipe welder skills

Common machine welder skills

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

Common pipe welder skills

Carbon Steel, 16%
MIG, 10%
Hand Tools, 8%
TIG, 6%
SMAW, 6%
GTAW, 6%