Metal welder vs pipe welder

The differences between metal 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 metal welder and a pipe welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $36,706 average annual salary of a metal welder.

The top three skills for a metal welder include MIG, hand tools and arc welding. The most important skills for a pipe welder are carbon steel, MIG, and hand tools.

Metal welder vs pipe welder overview

	Metal Welder	Pipe Welder
Yearly salary	$36,706	$46,364
Hourly rate	$17.65	$22.29
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	9,585	7,738
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Metal welder vs pipe welder salary

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

	Metal Welder	Pipe Welder
Average salary	$36,706	$46,364
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $45,000	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 metal welder and pipe welder education

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

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

Metal welder vs pipe welder demographics

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

	Metal Welder	Pipe Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%	Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.8% Asian, 2.6% White, 64.0% 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 metal welder and pipe welder duties and responsibilities

Metal welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Fabricate various jigs for various stools and chairs, school desks and cages.
Set up jigs to weld pallets for individual orders, also mark measured and stamp material for jobs.
Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
Blue print reading for all WPS orders.

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.

Metal welder vs pipe welder skills

Common metal welder skills

MIG, 22%
Hand Tools, 12%
Arc Welding, 10%
Stainless Steel, 10%
Tack, 9%
GMAW, 8%

Common pipe welder skills

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