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The differences between pipe 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 pipe welder and a ship fitter. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $45,247 average annual salary of a ship fitter.
The top three skills for a pipe welder include carbon steel, MIG and hand tools. The most important skills for a ship fitter are hand tools, tack-weld, and tack welding.
| Pipe Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Yearly salary | $46,364 | $45,247 |
| Hourly rate | $22.29 | $21.75 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,738 | 9,742 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| 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.
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.
Pipe welders and ship fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Average salary | $46,364 | $45,247 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $63,000 | Between $31,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | Mount Laurel, NJ |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | New Jersey |
| Best paying company | Forum Energy Technologies | BWX Technologies |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Technology |
There are a few differences between a pipe welder and a ship fitter in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 40% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe welders' and ship fitters' demographics:
| Pipe Welder | Ship Fitter | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3% |
| 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, 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% |