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Steamfitter vs welder

The differences between steamfitters and welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a steamfitter has an average salary of $69,544, which is higher than the $39,696 average annual salary of a welder.

The top three skills for a steamfitter include brazing, hand tools and carbon steel. The most important skills for a welder are arc welding, aluminum, and hand tools.

Steamfitter vs welder overview

SteamfitterWelder
Yearly salary$69,544$39,696
Hourly rate$33.43$19.08
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs6329,463
Job satisfaction-4.25
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 46%
Average age4240
Years of experience-4

Steamfitter vs welder salary

Steamfitters and welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

SteamfitterWelder
Average salary$69,544$39,696
Salary rangeBetween $50,000 And $95,000Between $29,000 And $54,000
Highest paying City-Woburn, MA
Highest paying state-Massachusetts
Best paying company-California Resources
Best paying industry-Automotive

Differences between steamfitter and welder education

There are a few differences between a steamfitter and a welder in terms of educational background:

SteamfitterWelder
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 55%High School Diploma, 46%
Most common majorHeating And Air ConditioningPrecision Metal Working
Most common college--

Steamfitter vs welder demographics

Here are the differences between steamfitters' and welders' demographics:

SteamfitterWelder
Average age4240
Gender ratioMale, 95.5% Female, 4.5%Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 18.2% Asian, 1.9% White, 65.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0%Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.0% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage2%3%

Differences between steamfitter and welder duties and responsibilities

Steamfitter example responsibilities.

  • Manufacture piping sections and join pipes by brazing, soldering and threading.
  • Perform tasks using torches, power tools, gauges and oxygen lances.
  • Install and inspect new and existing plumbing lines up to inches in diameter.
  • Pass many welding tests in Stick-Tig.-and Mig for high pressure steam, amonia refrigeration, medical gas.
  • Design and install commercial and residential plumbing.
  • Field fabricate and install piping, pump systems, fire protection sprinklers, and HVAC systems for fire protection systems.
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Welder example responsibilities.

  • Manage and run production parts through the brake.
  • Weld with oxyacetylene, MIG, and brazing all kind of materials like bronze, platinum, aluminum, and flux.
  • Experience TIG, plasma cutting, brazing, torch cutting, shears press, bending and manipulating heated metal.
  • Fabricate and weld car carrier trailers using MIG welding method, used overhead cranes to lift weld pieces up.
  • Fabricate and weld the steel reinforcement and forms according to print on a vibratory bed using MIG and GMAW welding.
  • Experience welding pipe ranging from 2"up to 72"pressure vessels using the GMAW and FCAW welding process.
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Steamfitter vs welder skills

Common steamfitter skills
  • Brazing, 16%
  • Hand Tools, 16%
  • Carbon Steel, 9%
  • Plumbing, 8%
  • HVAC, 7%
  • OSHA, 6%
Common welder skills
  • Arc Welding, 8%
  • Aluminum, 7%
  • Hand Tools, 7%
  • Tig Welding, 6%
  • Stainless Steel, 5%
  • GMAW, 5%

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