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The differences between tig welders and combo 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 tig welder and a combo welder. Additionally, a combo welder has an average salary of $46,985, which is higher than the $38,192 average annual salary of a tig welder.
The top three skills for a tig welder include tig welding, carbon steel and GTAW. The most important skills for a combo welder are GMAW, FCAW, and arc welding.
| TIG Welder | Combo Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $38,192 | $46,985 |
| Hourly rate | $18.36 | $22.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 7,053 | 8,266 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A tungsten inert gas (TIG) welder is someone who assembles and welds metal parts for use in manufacturing or construction projects. The duties and responsibilities of a TIG welder include ensuring the quality of metal parts before assembling them, reading and interpreting blueprints, and observing safety procedures. The requirements to qualify for the position include knowledge of metallurgy, good hand-eye coordination, and good mathematical skills. A high school diploma or General Education Development (GED) certification is the minimum education requirement for the job.
A Combo Welder specializes in operating welding equipment to build and maintain structures or systems made of metal. It is also their responsibility to understand and adhere to schematics and guidelines, prepare materials, ensure measurements, and maintain an active communication line with co-workers for a smooth and safe workflow. The extent of their responsibilities depends on their company of employment or project needs. Some projects may also require them to climb up high places, so it is essential to adhere to safety standards and regulations.
Tig welders and combo welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| TIG Welder | Combo Welder | |
| Average salary | $38,192 | $46,985 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $49,000 | Between $34,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Tualatin, OR | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Alfa Laval | SpaceX |
| Best paying industry | Retail | Construction |
There are a few differences between a tig welder and a combo welder in terms of educational background:
| TIG Welder | Combo Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 42% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between tig welders' and combo welders' demographics:
| TIG Welder | Combo Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.3% Female, 7.7% | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 9.7% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.3% Asian, 2.9% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% | Black or African American, 9.1% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 25.2% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |