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The differences between pipefitter/welders and instrument fitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a pipefitter/welder has an average salary of $53,768, which is higher than the $39,186 average annual salary of an instrument fitter.
The top three skills for a pipefitter/welder include hand tools, carbon steel and MIG. The most important skills for an instrument fitter are switches, read p, and safety regulations.
| Pipefitter/Welder | Instrument Fitter | |
| Yearly salary | $53,768 | $39,186 |
| Hourly rate | $25.85 | $18.84 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,996 | 4,260 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Years of experience | - | - |
A Pipefitter Welder installs, assembles, fabricates, maintains, and repairs mechanical piping systems. They may also supervise a team of helpers or assistants, and might also be responsible for training them.
Instrument fitters are professionals who are responsible for assembling and installing accurate instruments that perform tasks such as measuring, recording, and controlling. These fitters are required to use AutoCAD software to plan, draft, and design instrument layout and various assembly. They must install and wire multiple instruments such as pressure, level, and temperature transmitter. They are required to repair control valves throughout the plant to improve operational efficiency. Instrument fitters must also follow safety guidelines for using PPE safety glasses, hard hats, and safety shoes.
Pipefitter/welders and instrument fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Pipefitter/Welder | Instrument Fitter | |
| Average salary | $53,768 | $39,186 |
| Salary range | Between $39,000 And $72,000 | Between $32,000 And $47,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | - |
| Highest paying state | - | - |
| Best paying company | - | - |
| Best paying industry | - | - |
There are a few differences between a pipefitter/welder and an instrument fitter in terms of educational background:
| Pipefitter/Welder | Instrument Fitter | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Music |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between pipefitter/welders' and instrument fitters' demographics:
| Pipefitter/Welder | Instrument Fitter | |
| Average age | 42 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2% | Male, 93.6% Female, 6.4% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.8% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 1.8% White, 65.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% | Black or African American, 7.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 27.3% Asian, 1.8% White, 58.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% |
| LGBT Percentage | 2% | 2% |