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The differences between welder helpers 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 helper and a combo welder. Additionally, a combo welder has an average salary of $46,985, which is higher than the $29,684 average annual salary of a welder helper.
The top three skills for a welder helper include grind welds, MIG and grinders. The most important skills for a combo welder are GMAW, FCAW, and arc welding.
| Welder Helper | Combo Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $29,684 | $46,985 |
| Hourly rate | $14.27 | $22.59 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 21,605 | 8,266 |
| Job satisfaction | 5 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 60% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
A welder helper's role is to perform support tasks for lead welders at a construction site or similar setting. Their responsibilities primarily revolve around setting up and preparing rigs, operating devices and tools, maintaining the workspace's cleanliness, and following orders from lead welders. There may also be instances where a welder helper must pre-heat materials, lift heavy objects, participate in loading and unloading packages, and ensure that the welders are equipped with the necessary tools. Furthermore, it is essential to coordinate with managers and adhere to the site's safety regulations and policies.
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 helpers and combo welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Welder Helper | Combo Welder | |
| Average salary | $29,684 | $46,985 |
| Salary range | Between $22,000 And $38,000 | Between $34,000 And $64,000 |
| Highest paying City | Bakersfield, CA | Olympia, WA |
| Highest paying state | Wyoming | Massachusetts |
| Best paying company | Kiewit | SpaceX |
| Best paying industry | Construction | Construction |
There are a few differences between a welder helper and a combo welder in terms of educational background:
| Welder Helper | Combo Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 60% | High School Diploma, 38% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between welder helpers' and combo welders' demographics:
| Welder Helper | Combo Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9% | Male, 96.2% Female, 3.8% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 8.9% Unknown, 3.9% Hispanic or Latino, 26.0% Asian, 2.5% White, 57.1% 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% |