Metal welder vs plastic welder

The differences between metal welders and plastic 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 plastic welder. Additionally, a plastic welder has an average salary of $44,588, 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 plastic welder are water tanks, RAN, and extrusion.

Metal welder vs plastic welder overview

	Metal Welder	Plastic Welder
Yearly salary	$36,706	$44,588
Hourly rate	$17.65	$21.44
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	9,585	7,251
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 45%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Metal welder vs plastic welder salary

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

	Metal Welder	Plastic Welder
Average salary	$36,706	$44,588
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $45,000	Between $33,000 And $59,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between metal welder and plastic welder education

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

	Metal Welder	Plastic Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 42%	High School Diploma, 45%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Metal welder vs plastic welder demographics

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

	Metal Welder	Plastic Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 96.3% Female, 3.7%	Male, 90.7% Female, 9.3%
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, 8.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.9% White, 65.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.5%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between metal welder and plastic 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.

Plastic welder example responsibilities.

Perform TPM using companies' procedures.
Fabricate plastic pickling tanks using extrusion guns, drills, saws and other power tools
Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
Fabricate and repair of down hole tools, support for machine shops NDT testing
Assign and assist welders, NDT technicians, machinist and helpers with daily job assignments.
Operate the robotic welding machine which make the seat frame for all Honda vehicles

Metal welder vs plastic welder skills

Common metal welder skills

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

Common plastic welder skills

Water Tanks, 61%
RAN, 15%
Extrusion, 15%
Torches, 9%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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