Welder-assembler vs welder operator

The differences between welder-assemblers and welder operators 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-assembler and a welder operator. Additionally, a welder-assembler has an average salary of $33,580, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

The top three skills for a welder-assembler include MIG, blueprint specifications and aluminum. The most important skills for a welder operator are MIG, arc welding, and hand tools.

Welder-assembler vs welder operator overview

	Welder-Assembler	Welder Operator
Yearly salary	$33,580	$31,669
Hourly rate	$16.14	$15.23
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	26,070	51,229
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Welder-assembler vs welder operator salary

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

	Welder-Assembler	Welder Operator
Average salary	$33,580	$31,669
Salary range	Between $26,000 And $43,000	Between $25,000 And $38,000
Highest paying City	-	Chicopee, MA
Highest paying state	-	Wyoming
Best paying company	-	Capco
Best paying industry	-	Automotive

Differences between welder-assembler and welder operator education

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

	Welder-Assembler	Welder Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 48%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Welder-assembler vs welder operator demographics

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

	Welder-Assembler	Welder Operator
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%
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, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between welder-assembler and welder 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 operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.

Welder-assembler vs welder operator skills

Common welder-assembler skills

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

Common welder operator skills

MIG, 12%
Arc Welding, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
GMAW, 5%