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The differences between mig 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 mig welder and a ship fitter. Additionally, a ship fitter has an average salary of $45,247, 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 ship fitter are hand tools, tack-weld, and tack welding.
| MIG Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Yearly salary | $35,476 | $45,247 |
| Hourly rate | $17.06 | $21.75 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,051 | 9,742 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 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.
Ship fitters are civilian or enlisted people who work on materials like high yield strength steel and high-tensile steel. These people fabricate, assemble, and build structural parts of ships. They are the ones who coordinate a fixed tank working on ships and submarines, as well as the sonar dome work. They serve as part of a team composing shipbuilders. It is their duty to lead and assist in welding copper, PVC, flange piping, and steel. They should also refurbish the older rigs with advanced technologies.
Mig welders and ship fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| MIG Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Average salary | $35,476 | $45,247 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $44,000 | Between $31,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Salt Lake City, UT | Mount Laurel, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Invacare | BWX Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Technology |
There are a few differences between a mig welder and a ship fitter in terms of educational background:
| MIG Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 47% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between mig welders' and ship fitters' demographics:
| MIG Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| 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, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |