Master welder vs welder operator

The differences between master welders and welder operators 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 welder operator. Additionally, a master welder has an average salary of $43,857, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

The top three skills for a master welder include GMAW, fit-up and stainless steel. The most important skills for a welder operator are MIG, arc welding, and hand tools.

Master welder vs welder operator overview

	Master Welder	Welder Operator
Yearly salary	$43,857	$31,669
Hourly rate	$21.09	$15.23
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	15,419	51,229
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Master welder vs welder operator salary

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

	Master Welder	Welder Operator
Average salary	$43,857	$31,669
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $61,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Chicopee, MA
Highest paying state	-	Wyoming
Best paying company	-	Capco
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between master welder and welder operator education

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

	Master Welder	Welder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 28%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Master welder vs welder operator demographics

Here are the differences between master welders' and welder operators' demographics:

	Master Welder	Welder Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between master welder and welder operator 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

Welder operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.

Master welder vs welder operator skills

Common master welder skills

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

Common welder operator skills

MIG, 12%
Arc Welding, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
GMAW, 5%