Mig welder vs welder operator

The differences between mig 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 mig welder and a welder operator. Additionally, a mig welder has an average salary of $35,476, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

The top three skills for a mig welder include tape measure, arc welding and jigs. The most important skills for a welder operator are MIG, arc welding, and hand tools.

Mig welder vs welder operator overview

	MIG Welder	Welder Operator
Yearly salary	$35,476	$31,669
Hourly rate	$17.06	$15.23
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	7,051	51,229
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Mig welder vs welder operator salary

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

	MIG Welder	Welder Operator
Average salary	$35,476	$31,669
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $44,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	Salt Lake City, UT	Chicopee, MA
Highest paying state	Alaska	Wyoming
Best paying company	Invacare	Capco
Best paying industry	Automotive	Automotive

Differences between mig welder and welder operator education

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

	MIG Welder	Welder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 47%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Mig welder vs welder operator demographics

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

	MIG Welder	Welder Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 10.6% 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 mig welder and welder operator duties and responsibilities

Mig welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Read and interpret blue prints weld steel and aluminum using GMAW process
Develop extensive experience in a wide variety of welding styles and positions including MIG, and TIG.
Use necessary equipment such as torches, grinders, chop saws, and plasma cutters for assembly and repairs.
Assemble flatbed trailers; perform MIG, aluminum, and steel welding; participate in various production duties as assigned
Calibrate welding machines to GMAW (calibration).

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.

Mig welder vs welder operator skills

Common mig welder skills

Tape Measure, 11%
Arc Welding, 8%
Jigs, 8%
GMAW, 8%
Torches, 7%
Aluminum, 7%

Common welder operator skills

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