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The differences between mig welders and metal fabricators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a metal fabricator has an average salary of $38,047, which is higher than the $35,476 average annual salary of a mig welder.
The top three skills for a mig welder include tape measure, arc welding and jigs. The most important skills for a metal fabricator are MIG, hand tools, and aluminum.
| MIG Welder | Metal Fabricator | |
| Yearly salary | $35,476 | $38,047 |
| Hourly rate | $17.06 | $18.29 |
| Growth rate | 2% | -6% |
| Number of jobs | 7,051 | 4,868 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Years of experience | 4 | - |
The MIG welder is responsible for creating metal projects using inert gas welding techniques and electric arc processes. MIG welders carefully fuse metal components, avoiding contamination on the weld, as well as managing the metal bond defects. They analyze specifications, interpret blueprints, and operate various machine tools and equipment for accurate measuring and cutting. The MIG welder should strictly follow the safety procedures at all times during operations to avoid hazards in the workplace, including the proper storage and cleaning of welding tools and materials.
A metal fabricator manipulates metal for construction and manufacturing companies. They are required to cut, shape, position and align different metals. They must also understand assembly instructions, ensure required parts are available, and ensure parts meet quality control standards. They attend product development meetings, test products for functionality, troubleshoot and stress test products to determine possible shortcomings, make detailed reports outlining product malfunctions, verify product dimensions, and maintain the product schedule.
Mig welders and metal fabricators have different pay scales, as shown below.
| MIG Welder | Metal Fabricator | |
| Average salary | $35,476 | $38,047 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $44,000 | Between $29,000 And $48,000 |
| Highest paying City | Salt Lake City, UT | Clifton, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Nevada |
| Best paying company | Invacare | Halliburton |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a mig welder and a metal fabricator in terms of educational background:
| MIG Welder | Metal Fabricator | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mig welders' and metal fabricators' demographics:
| MIG Welder | Metal Fabricator | |
| Average age | 40 | 44 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 94.1% Female, 5.9% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.0% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 12.0% Unknown, 3.8% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 8.1% White, 58.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 5% |