Master welder vs combination welder

The differences between master welders and combination 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 master welder and a combination welder. Additionally, a combination welder has an average salary of $45,432, which is higher than the $43,857 average annual salary of a master welder.

The top three skills for a master welder include GMAW, fit-up and stainless steel. The most important skills for a combination welder are arc welding, tack, and minor maintenance.

Master welder vs combination welder overview

	Master Welder	Combination Welder
Yearly salary	$43,857	$45,432
Hourly rate	$21.09	$21.84
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	15,419	7,117
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 36%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Master welder vs combination welder salary

Master welders and combination welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Master Welder	Combination Welder
Average salary	$43,857	$45,432
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $61,000	Between $32,000 And $62,000
Highest paying City	-	Bremerton, WA
Highest paying state	-	Wyoming
Best paying company	-	Maxum Enterprises, LLC
Best paying industry	-	Construction

Differences between master welder and combination welder education

There are a few differences between a master welder and a combination welder in terms of educational background:

	Master Welder	Combination Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 36%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Master welder vs combination welder demographics

Here are the differences between master welders' and combination welders' demographics:

	Master Welder	Combination Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%	Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.2% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 2.6% White, 63.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 2.6% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between master welder and combination welder duties and responsibilities

Master welder example responsibilities.

Operate equipment such as loaders, trucks and cranes.
Can read blueprint measuring tape and fitting tools, drive forklift, operate overhead cranes, cut plasma and acetylene torch.
Perform tubular welding operations on livestock equipment products using appropriate jigs.
Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
Assign work projects, QC welds.
Weld on housings for union tank everything are QC and xray used 0.45 0.52 flux

Combination welder example responsibilities.

Fitter-Qualify in SMAW, FCAW, GMAW, as per AWS D1.1.
Repair wrecked tank cars using plasma, torches, welders, and air arc.
Fabricate numerous shop projects using all processes in variety of positions on carbon, aluminum, and stainless.
Assist lead welder in various welding, brazing, grinding, thermal, gouging, and arc cutting operations.
Can position pieces to weld into jigs, holding fixtures, guides and steps using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Assemble or secure pipes, tubes, fittings, specifications, by welding, brazing, soldering, or threading joints.

Master welder vs combination welder skills

Common master welder skills

GMAW, 16%
Fit-Up, 14%
Stainless Steel, 13%
Arc Welding, 11%
Cranes, 10%
SMAW, 10%

Common combination welder skills

Arc Welding, 14%
Tack, 10%
Minor Maintenance, 7%
MIG, 6%
Gmaw Welding, 5%
Engineering Drawings, 4%