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The differences between welder apprentices and apprentices can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a welder apprentice, becoming an apprentice takes usually requires 6-12 months. Additionally, an apprentice has an average salary of $37,107, which is higher than the $34,266 average annual salary of a welder apprentice.
The top three skills for a welder apprentice include MIG, hand tools and arc welding. The most important skills for an apprentice are PET, customer service, and basic math.
| Welder Apprentice | Apprentice | |
| Yearly salary | $34,266 | $37,107 |
| Hourly rate | $16.47 | $17.84 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 7% |
| Number of jobs | 14,044 | 13,014 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 12 |
A welder apprentice analyzes engineering specifications and engineering drawings to plan layout and assembly welding operations. Besides using rulers, calipers, combination squares, and straight edges to secure, position, and layout parts and assemblies as per the assignment specifications, welder apprentices also perform their duties based on established safety procedures and quality standards. They use arc welding, gas welding, electric welding, and other welding forms to weld and track-weld assemblies and different components. Moreover, a welder apprentice uses precision measuring instruments, calipers, and micrometers to find gap variance.
An apprentice is responsible for learning specialized tasks on their chosen field through actual job training under the supervision of tenured staff. An apprentice's duties include performing administrative tasks as needed, creating observation reports of daily operations, providing possible recommendations on improving productivity, and adhering to the business' safety standards and regulatory procedures. An apprentice must be detail-oriented, fast-learner, and enthusiastic. An apprentice should also know how to accept constructive criticisms and feedback to improve performance and skill development.
Welder apprentices and apprentices have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Welder Apprentice | Apprentice | |
| Average salary | $34,266 | $37,107 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $26,000 And $51,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | Worcester, MA |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Mid-South Management |
| Best paying industry | - | Transportation |
There are a few differences between a welder apprentice and an apprentice in terms of educational background:
| Welder Apprentice | Apprentice | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | Bachelor's Degree, 38% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Business |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between welder apprentices' and apprentices' demographics:
| Welder Apprentice | Apprentice | |
| Average age | 40 | 42 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 78.4% Female, 21.6% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 61.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | Black or African American, 7.9% Unknown, 4.2% Hispanic or Latino, 20.3% Asian, 2.2% White, 64.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.9% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |