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The differences between pipe welders and combination 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 pipe welder and a combination welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $45,432 average annual salary of a combination welder.
The top three skills for a pipe welder include carbon steel, MIG and hand tools. The most important skills for a combination welder are arc welding, tack, and minor maintenance.
| Pipe Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $46,364 | $45,432 |
| Hourly rate | $22.29 | $21.84 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,738 | 7,117 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
According to schematics and analyzing specifications, a pipe welder is responsible for maintaining and repairing pipe systems and components. Pipe welders inspect the quality of the materials, assemble tools for welding preparations, ensure the safety of the welding method and structural units, and strictly adhere to safety operations procedures. They also examine finished welds to identify any defects and perform adjustments as needed. A pipe welder must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to operate machinery and construct a safe piping system.
Combination welders are the ones who prepare the welding materials to weld together metal components and maintain their equipment, such as a welding torch, grinder, or thermal cutters. They should know the various processes like oxy-fuel welding, arc welding, etc., to weld various metal components. Before starting their torches, they position the metals to stay in place using clamps. These welders work to fabricate or repair cracks, holes or increase the size of metal products like machine parts, plant equipment, automobiles, etc.
Pipe welders and combination welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Average salary | $46,364 | $45,432 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $63,000 | Between $32,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | Bremerton, WA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Forum Energy Technologies | Maxum Enterprises, LLC |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a pipe welder and a combination welder in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 36% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe welders' and combination welders' demographics:
| Pipe Welder | Combination Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 96.7% Female, 3.3% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 9.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 24.3% Asian, 2.6% White, 57.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |