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Master welder vs ship fitter

The differences between master welders and ship fitters 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 ship fitter. Additionally, a ship fitter has an average salary of $45,247, 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 ship fitter are hand tools, tack-weld, and tack welding.

Master welder vs ship fitter overview

Master WelderShip Fitter
Yearly salary$43,857$45,247
Hourly rate$21.09$21.75
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs15,4199,742
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 28%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Master welder vs ship fitter salary

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

Master WelderShip Fitter
Average salary$43,857$45,247
Salary rangeBetween $31,000 And $61,000Between $31,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-Mount Laurel, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-BWX Technologies
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between master welder and ship fitter education

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

Master WelderShip Fitter
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 28%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common college--

Master welder vs ship fitter demographics

Here are the differences between master welders' and ship fitters' demographics:

Master WelderShip Fitter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 96.0% Female, 4.0%Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3%
Race ratioBlack 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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between master welder and ship fitter 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
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Ship fitter example responsibilities.

  • Achieve x-ray certification on aluminum using MIG process.
  • Lead and assist in executing pipefitting/welding of steel, copper, PVC, and flange piping.
  • Cut materials with various tools including torches, reciprocating saws, grinders and plasma cutters to ensure exact measurements.
  • Work includes using torches, grinders and other power tools to cut material to size and prep to weld and paint.
  • Assemble hoisting and rigging equipment.
  • Repair and re-fit oil rig platforms.
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Master welder vs ship fitter skills

Common master welder skills
  • GMAW, 16%
  • Fit-Up, 14%
  • Stainless Steel, 13%
  • Arc Welding, 11%
  • Cranes, 10%
  • SMAW, 10%
Common ship fitter skills
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Tack-Weld, 10%
  • Tack Welding, 7%
  • Tape Measure, 6%
  • Cranes, 6%
  • Safety Rules, 5%

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