Pipefitter/welder vs journeyman pipe welder

The differences between pipefitter/welders and journeyman pipe welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a journeyman pipe welder has an average salary of $63,075, which is higher than the $53,768 average annual salary of a pipefitter/welder.

The top three skills for a pipefitter/welder include hand tools, carbon steel and MIG. The most important skills for a journeyman pipe welder are pipe systems, brazing, and tig welding.

Pipefitter/welder vs journeyman pipe welder overview

	Pipefitter/Welder	Journeyman Pipe Welder
Yearly salary	$53,768	$63,075
Hourly rate	$25.85	$30.32
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	7,996	11,705
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 33%
Average age	42	42
Years of experience	-	-

Pipefitter/welder vs journeyman pipe welder salary

Pipefitter/welders and journeyman pipe welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Pipefitter/Welder	Journeyman Pipe Welder
Average salary	$53,768	$63,075
Salary range	Between $39,000 And $72,000	Between $46,000 And $85,000
Highest paying City	-	-
Highest paying state	-	-
Best paying company	-	-
Best paying industry	-	-

Differences between pipefitter/welder and journeyman pipe welder education

There are a few differences between a pipefitter/welder and a journeyman pipe welder in terms of educational background:

	Pipefitter/Welder	Journeyman Pipe Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 43%	High School Diploma, 33%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Pipefitter/welder vs journeyman pipe welder demographics

Here are the differences between pipefitter/welders' and journeyman pipe welders' demographics:

	Pipefitter/Welder	Journeyman Pipe Welder
Average age	42	42
Gender ratio	Male, 95.8% Female, 4.2%	Male, 97.8% Female, 2.2%
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, 9.5% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.7% Asian, 1.9% White, 62.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	2%	2%

Differences between pipefitter/welder and journeyman pipe welder duties and responsibilities

Pipefitter/welder example responsibilities.

Use specific tools such as saws, cutting torches, pipe threaders, benders, and welders.
Learned and teach company procedures for welding on up-armore ground combat vehicles and MRAPs using GMAW, FCAW, and GTAW.
Cert through company for 1/2 AR plate GMAW 1-4g.
Weld stainless 304 , 308 , 309 , 316 , 317 and inconel
Weld on carbon pipe ranging in sizes 3"up to 24"and sch 10 up to sch 160
Work as a journeyman welder and ironworker.

Journeyman pipe welder example responsibilities.

Silver brazing, working on piping systems from high pressure to fire suppression systems.
Fit up and weld pipe, blueprints, operate crane, forklift, torches and burn table
Complete extensive training in rigging, tool safety, PPE, scaffolding, fall protection and others.
Operate state-of-the-art production welding, brazing, and soldering equipment.
Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
Write JSA to identify the steps to do the job.

Pipefitter/welder vs journeyman pipe welder skills

Common pipefitter/welder skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Carbon Steel, 9%
MIG, 7%
Safety Equipment, 5%
Pipe Systems, 5%
Plumbing, 5%

Common journeyman pipe welder skills

Pipe Systems, 27%
Brazing, 20%
Tig Welding, 9%
Carbon Steel, 8%
MIG, 6%
TIG, 5%

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Pipefitter/Welder vs Journeyman Pipe Welder

Updated January 8, 2025

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