Operational test mechanic vs weld inspector

The differences between operational test mechanics and weld inspectors can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a weld inspector has an average salary of $50,441, which is higher than the $42,957 average annual salary of an operational test mechanic.

The top three skills for an operational test mechanic include R, functional test and QC. The most important skills for a weld inspector are pipeline project, NDT, and NDE.

Operational test mechanic vs weld inspector overview

	Operational Test Mechanic	Weld Inspector
Yearly salary	$42,957	$50,441
Hourly rate	$20.65	$24.25
Growth rate	-3%	-3%
Number of jobs	51,939	16,559
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 32%
Average age	45	45
Years of experience	-	-

Operational test mechanic vs weld inspector salary

Operational test mechanics and weld inspectors have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Operational Test Mechanic	Weld Inspector
Average salary	$42,957	$50,441
Salary range	Between $28,000 And $64,000	Between $33,000 And $77,000
Highest paying City	North Kingstown, RI	-
Highest paying state	Connecticut	-
Best paying company	Bristol-Myers Squibb	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between operational test mechanic and weld inspector education

There are a few differences between an operational test mechanic and a weld inspector in terms of educational background:

	Operational Test Mechanic	Weld Inspector
Most common degree	Bachelor's Degree, 50%	High School Diploma, 32%
Most common major	Mechanical Engineering	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Operational test mechanic vs weld inspector demographics

Here are the differences between operational test mechanics' and weld inspectors' demographics:

	Operational Test Mechanic	Weld Inspector
Average age	45	45
Gender ratio	Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%	Male, 90.3% Female, 9.7%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 7.5% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.7%	Black or African American, 11.8% Unknown, 4.9% Hispanic or Latino, 16.6% Asian, 8.1% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9%
LGBT Percentage	4%	4%

Differences between operational test mechanic and weld inspector duties and responsibilities

Operational test mechanic example responsibilities.

Box build sub-assembly level by solder wire into connector, lead, and fan according to MPI and visuals aid.
Perform basic QC for components and complete system.
Provide construction and testing of electro-mechanical sub-assemblies for high quality medical equipment build from blueprints and schematics.
Ensure that daily automate regression testing is running and completing successfully.

Weld inspector example responsibilities.

Inspect all coating application to ensure proper application and WFT is achieved per clients and manufacturers specifications and standards.
Instruct current and new welders in drawing and WPS reading.
Monitor compliance with WPS, specifications, codes, and standards.
Review shop drawings while performing tasks according to specifications of SMAW type welding
Record all detail defects for use in the future with FDA regulations.
Inspect FBE coating on final bench and calibrations of all test equipment.

Operational test mechanic vs weld inspector skills

Common operational test mechanic skills

R, 44%
Functional Test, 38%
QC, 18%

Common weld inspector skills

Pipeline Project, 9%
NDT, 8%
NDE, 7%
Inspect Welds, 7%
PT, 6%
Tie-Ins, 5%

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Operational Test Mechanic
Operational Test Mechanic vs Weld Inspector

Updated January 8, 2025

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