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The differences between welder fitters 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 welder fitter and a combo welder. Additionally, a combo welder has an average salary of $46,985, which is higher than the $39,676 average annual salary of a welder fitter.
The top three skills for a welder fitter include MIG, hand tools and arc welding. The most important skills for a combo welder are GMAW, FCAW, and arc welding.
| Welder Fitter | Combo Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $39,676 | $46,985 |
| Hourly rate | $19.07 | $22.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 8,022 | 8,266 |
| Job satisfaction | - | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A Welder Fitter specializes in manipulating steel, aluminum, and other materials into various industries' structural forms. The majority of a welder's responsibilities are mostly manual work, which can have risks as they use torches or lasers for their daily tasks, and there are also instances when they have to climb high structures. Furthermore, a Welder Fitter must have keen attention to detail and communication skills as they must coordinate with fellow workers most of the time.
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.
Welder fitters and combo welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Welder Fitter | Combo Welder | |
| Average salary | $39,676 | $46,985 |
| Salary range | Between $28,000 And $55,000 | Between $34,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Vancouver, WA | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Jefferson Lab | SpaceX |
| Best paying industry | Energy | Construction |
There are a few differences between a welder fitter and a combo welder in terms of educational background:
| Welder Fitter | Combo Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 43% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between welder fitters' and combo welders' demographics:
| Welder Fitter | Combo Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 95.1% Female, 4.9% | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.7% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% | 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% |