Structural welder vs spot welder

The differences between structural welders and spot welders can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a structural welder and a spot welder. Additionally, a structural welder has an average salary of $42,868, which is higher than the $32,277 average annual salary of a spot welder.

The top three skills for a structural welder include SMAW, FCAW and MIG. The most important skills for a spot welder are spot welding, spot welders, and quality standards.

Structural welder vs spot welder overview

	Structural Welder	Spot Welder
Yearly salary	$42,868	$32,277
Hourly rate	$20.61	$15.52
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	9,651	8,126
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Structural welder vs spot welder salary

Structural welders and spot welders have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Structural Welder	Spot Welder
Average salary	$42,868	$32,277
Salary range	Between $31,000 And $58,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Philadelphia, PA	Fridley, MN
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Wyoming
Best paying company	Turner Construction	General Electric
Best paying industry	Construction	Automotive

Differences between structural welder and spot welder education

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

	Structural Welder	Spot Welder
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Structural welder vs spot welder demographics

Here are the differences between structural welders' and spot welders' demographics:

	Structural Welder	Spot Welder
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 94.9% Female, 5.1%	Male, 69.2% Female, 30.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.1% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 22.1% Asian, 2.6% White, 59.6% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.2% Asian, 2.8% White, 64.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between structural welder and spot welder duties and responsibilities

Structural welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Fabricate and assemble small parts and components with the GMAW, SMAW, FCAW and aluminum weld process.
Bound structural as well as nonstructural parts by means of welding according to drawings using MIG and TIG welding of steel.
Weld, and fabricate pressure vessels using GMAW process.
Fix various stock trailers and other equipment that come in for repairs using FCAW, and GMAW.
Weld separately or in combination using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.

Spot welder example responsibilities.

Operate a laser CNC fabricator, press brake and occasionally TIG and MIG welding equipment.
Set up and operate CNC, mechanical, and hydraulic press brake.
Operate CNC punch and CNC shearer.
Spot welder, MIG welder, line assembly, metal repair and final line inspector.
Weld metal wires together in jigs to make magazine racks, cages and various products.
Used hoists, microscopes, calipers, ban see, and hand hold and bench grinders.

Structural welder vs spot welder skills

Common structural welder skills

SMAW, 9%
FCAW, 8%
MIG, 8%
Arc Welding, 8%
GMAW, 6%
Hand Tools, 5%

Common spot welder skills

Spot Welding, 35%
Spot Welders, 6%
Quality Standards, 5%
Assembly Line, 5%
MIG, 5%
Safety Equipment, 4%