Welder-assembler vs welder-machine operator

The differences between welder-assemblers and welder-machine operators 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-assembler, becoming a welder-machine operator takes usually requires 3-6 months. Additionally, a welder-machine operator has an average salary of $37,171, which is higher than the $33,580 average annual salary of a welder-assembler.

The top three skills for a welder-assembler include MIG, blueprint specifications and aluminum. The most important skills for a welder-machine operator are arc welding, safety equipment, and stainless steel.

Welder-assembler vs welder-machine operator overview

	Welder-Assembler	Welder-Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$33,580	$37,171
Hourly rate	$16.14	$17.87
Growth rate	2%	-5%
Number of jobs	26,070	68,316
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 53%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	6

Welder-assembler vs welder-machine operator salary

Welder-assemblers and welder-machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Welder-Assembler	Welder-Machine Operator
Average salary	$33,580	$37,171
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $43,000	Between $27,000 And $49,000
Highest paying City	-	Fontana, CA
Highest paying state	-	Nevada
Best paying company	-	BWX Technologies
Best paying industry	-	Technology

Differences between welder-assembler and welder-machine operator education

There are a few differences between a welder-assembler and a welder-machine operator in terms of educational background:

	Welder-Assembler	Welder-Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 53%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	Dunwoody College of Technology

Welder-assembler vs welder-machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between welder-assemblers' and welder-machine operators' demographics:

	Welder-Assembler	Welder-Machine Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 84.6% Female, 15.4%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%	Black or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between welder-assembler and welder-machine operator duties and responsibilities

Welder-assembler example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Perform welding duties with GMAW, to weld shoot beads on mild steel.
Start on CNC machine operator, to head welding/assembly.
Operate welding machines, soldering machines and brazing machines.
Weld aircraft parts, inspect parts, assemble parts for furnace brazing.
Cut various pieces out of stock using band saws, torches, and plasma cutters.

Welder-machine operator example responsibilities.

Weld required parts using GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW.
Require to weld a wide veriety of assemblies, fabricate parts and maintain equipment and fixtures employing GMAW and GTAW techniques.
Operate the welding robots and do rework with the MIG welder.
Weld both steel and aluminum pressure tanks for both train and truck air brake systems.
Dismantle metal assemblies and cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
Position, align, fit, and weld together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.

Welder-assembler vs welder-machine operator skills

Common welder-assembler skills

MIG, 17%
Blueprint Specifications, 7%
Aluminum, 7%
Stainless Steel, 6%
Safety Equipment, 5%
Tig Welding, 4%

Common welder-machine operator skills

Arc Welding, 7%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Stainless Steel, 6%
CNC, 6%
Tig Welding, 5%
Tape Measure, 5%

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Welder-Assembler vs Welder-Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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