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The differences between pipe welders and structural 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 structural welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $42,868 average annual salary of a structural welder.
The top three skills for a pipe welder include carbon steel, MIG and hand tools. The most important skills for a structural welder are SMAW, FCAW, and MIG.
| Pipe Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $46,364 | $42,868 |
| Hourly rate | $22.29 | $20.61 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,738 | 9,651 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| 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.
The job of structural welders is to design, layout, and fabricate the metal framework for industrial and commercial buildings. They work for a wide variety of industries, including manufacturing, shipbuilding, and construction. Their duties and responsibilities include testing welding and safety equipment, cutting, assembling, repairing building components such as girders and beams, and checking for gap and angle allowances. They either use manual or automated equipment to perform some of these tasks, such as power saws for cutting metals. Structural welders are also responsible for assessing the condition of the equipment.
Pipe welders and structural welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Average salary | $46,364 | $42,868 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $63,000 | Between $31,000 And $58,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | Philadelphia, PA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Forum Energy Technologies | Turner Construction |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a pipe welder and a structural welder in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 46% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe welders' and structural welders' demographics:
| Pipe Welder | Structural Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1% |
| 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, 10.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |