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The differences between pipe welders and welder helpers 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 welder helper. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, which is higher than the $29,684 average annual salary of a welder helper.
The top three skills for a pipe welder include carbon steel, MIG and hand tools. The most important skills for a welder helper are grind welds, MIG, and grinders.
| Pipe Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Yearly salary | $46,364 | $29,684 |
| Hourly rate | $22.29 | $14.27 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,738 | 21,605 |
| Job satisfaction | - | 5 |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 60% |
| 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.
A welder helper's role is to perform support tasks for lead welders at a construction site or similar setting. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around setting up and preparing rigs, operating devices and tools, maintaining the workspace's cleanliness, and following orders from lead welders. There may also be instances where a welder helper must pre-heat materials, lift heavy objects, participate in loading and unloading packages, and ensure that the welders are equipped with the necessary tools. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with managers and adhere to the site's safety regulations and policies.
Pipe welders and welder helpers have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipe Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Average salary | $46,364 | $29,684 |
| Salary range | Between $33,000 And $63,000 | Between $22,000 And $38,000 |
| Highest paying City | North Kingstown, RI | Bakersfield, CA |
| Highest paying state | Alaska | Wyoming |
| Best paying company | Forum Energy Technologies | Kiewit |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a pipe welder and a welder helper in terms of educational background:
| Pipe Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 60% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipe welders' and welder helpers' demographics:
| Pipe Welder | Welder Helper | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% |
| 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, 8.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 26.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |