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The differences between welder apprentices and pipe 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 welder apprentice and a pipe welder. Additionally, a pipe welder has an average salary of $46,364, 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 a pipe welder are carbon steel, MIG, and hand tools.
| Welder Apprentice | Pipe Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $34,266 | $46,364 |
| Hourly rate | $16.47 | $22.29 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 14,044 | 7,738 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
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.
According to schematics and analyzing specifications, a pipe welder is responsible for maintaining and repairing pipe systems and components. Pipe welders inspect the quality of the materials, assemble tools for welding preparations, ensure the safety of the welding method and structural units, and strictly adhere to safety operations procedures. They also examine finished welds to identify any defects and perform adjustments as needed. A pipe welder must have a broad knowledge of the mechanical industry to operate machinery and construct a safe piping system.
Welder apprentices and pipe welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Welder Apprentice | Pipe Welder | |
| Average salary | $34,266 | $46,364 |
| Salary range | Between $26,000 And $43,000 | Between $33,000 And $63,000 |
| Highest paying City | - | North Kingstown, RI |
| Highest paying state | - | Alaska |
| Best paying company | - | Forum Energy Technologies |
| Best paying industry | - | Construction |
There are a few differences between a welder apprentice and a pipe welder in terms of educational background:
| Welder Apprentice | Pipe Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 53% | High School Diploma, 42% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between welder apprentices' and pipe welders' demographics:
| Welder Apprentice | Pipe Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.0% Female, 8.0% | Male, 96.0% Female, 4.0% |
| 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, 10.9% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 18.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 62.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |