Steel fabricator vs welder

The differences between steel fabricators and welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a welder has an average salary of $39,696, which is higher than the $32,654 average annual salary of a steel fabricator.

The top three skills for a steel fabricator include MIG, tape measure and hand tools. The most important skills for a welder are arc welding, aluminum, and hand tools.

Steel fabricator vs welder overview

	Steel Fabricator	Welder
Yearly salary	$32,654	$39,696
Hourly rate	$15.70	$19.08
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	3,063	9,463
Job satisfaction	-	4.25
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 46%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	-	4

Steel fabricator vs welder salary

Steel fabricators and welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Steel Fabricator	Welder
Average salary	$32,654	$39,696
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $44,000	Between $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 steel fabricator and welder education

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

	Steel Fabricator	Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 46%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Steel fabricator vs welder demographics

Here are the differences between steel fabricators' and welders' demographics:

	Steel Fabricator	Welder
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%	Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 12.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 14.9% Asian, 8.1% White, 60.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.6%	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 Percentage	5%	3%

Differences between steel fabricator and welder duties and responsibilities

Steel fabricator example responsibilities.

Achieve welding certifications in pipe, structural steel, MIG, TIG and by the state of Maryland.
Programme and operate CNC press brake as necessary.
Weld and cut steel using MIG/ARC welders and cutting torches.
Work with various CNC machines, metal saws, drill presses and punches, press break, and forklift certify.
Weld, tack, and fit uprights that go on mods, fab and repair any projects using FCAW welding techniques.
Assemble fiberglass aircraft louvers in accordance with standard operating procedures while adhering to applicable safety regulations.

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.

Steel fabricator vs welder skills

Common steel fabricator skills

MIG, 11%
Tape Measure, 10%
Hand Tools, 10%
Stainless Steel, 7%
Steel Fabrication, 6%
Aluminum, 5%

Common welder skills

Arc Welding, 8%
Aluminum, 7%
Hand Tools, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
Stainless Steel, 5%
GMAW, 5%