Steel fabricator vs welder operator

The differences between steel fabricators and welder operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a steel fabricator has an average salary of $32,654, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

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

Steel fabricator vs welder operator overview

	Steel Fabricator	Welder Operator
Yearly salary	$32,654	$31,669
Hourly rate	$15.70	$15.23
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	3,063	51,229
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	44	40
Years of experience	-	4

Steel fabricator vs welder operator salary

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

	Steel Fabricator	Welder Operator
Average salary	$32,654	$31,669
Salary range	Between $24,000 And $44,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Chicopee, MA
Highest paying state	-	Wyoming
Best paying company	-	Capco
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between steel fabricator and welder operator education

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

	Steel Fabricator	Welder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Steel fabricator vs welder operator demographics

Here are the differences between steel fabricators' and welder operators' demographics:

	Steel Fabricator	Welder Operator
Average age	44	40
Gender ratio	Male, 94.2% Female, 5.8%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	5%	3%

Differences between steel fabricator and welder operator 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 operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.

Steel fabricator vs welder operator skills

Common steel fabricator skills

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

Common welder operator skills

MIG, 12%
Arc Welding, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
GMAW, 5%