How To Become A Sub Arc Operator: What It Is and Career Path

What is a sub arc operator and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

There is more than meets the eye when it comes to being a sub arc operator. For example, did you know that they make an average of $53.3 an hour? That's $110,869 a year! Between 2018 and 2028, the career is expected to grow 2% and produce 6,900 job opportunities across the U.S.

ScoreSub Arc OperatorUS Average

Salary

7.9

Avg. Salary $110,869

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

Growth rate 2%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

9.4

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.60%

Asian 2.64%

Black or African American 10.26%

Hispanic or Latino 21.72%

Unknown 3.98%

White 59.80%

Gender

female 11.39%

male 88.61%

Age - 40

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 40

Complexity level

7.6

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Key steps to become a sub arc operator

Explore sub arc operator education requirements

Most common sub arc operator degrees

High School Diploma

29.6 %

Diploma

22.2 %

Associate

22.2 %

Start to develop specific sub arc operator skills

Skills	Percentages
Arc Welding	48.07%
MIG	29.24%
Aluminum	22.69%

Complete relevant sub arc operator training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New sub arc operators learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a sub arc operator based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real sub arc operator resumes.

Research sub arc operator duties and responsibilities

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Certify in ceramic tape welding, mig process, aluminum welding, stainless steel , 7018 and 6010 stick welding
Fuse metal segments, using submerge arc welding.
Perform preventive maintenance, electronic robotic operation, pneumatic system operation, and initial quality control.

Prepare your sub arc operator resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your sub arc operator resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a sub arc operator resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable sub arc operator resume templates

Build a professional sub arc operator resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your sub arc operator resume.

Apply for sub arc operator jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a sub arc operator job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How did you land your first sub arc operator job

Paula McKinney

Sub Arc Operator, Trinity Industries

I was actually at truck driving school to become a truck driver. But I had applied to Trinity Industries. I got a call from Trinity Industries while in truck driving school for an interview. Ended up still getting my CDL's and then after going to the interview. I got hired on the the spot. Was initially suppose to be a hand welder using flux core but lucked out and got offered the sub arc position. Went from Welder 1 to Senior Auto Welder, over the course of 12 years of working for Trinity. I love it.