Welder helper vs welder-assembler

The differences between welder helpers and welder-assemblers 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 welder-assembler. Additionally, a welder-assembler has an average salary of $33,580, 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 welder-assembler are MIG, blueprint specifications, and aluminum.

Welder helper vs welder-assembler overview

	Welder Helper	Welder-Assembler
Yearly salary	$29,684	$33,580
Hourly rate	$14.27	$16.14
Growth rate	2%	2%
Number of jobs	21,605	26,070
Job satisfaction	5	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 48%
Average age	40	40
Years of experience	4	4

Welder helper vs welder-assembler salary

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

	Welder Helper	Welder-Assembler
Average salary	$29,684	$33,580
Salary range	Between $22,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $43,000
Highest paying City	Bakersfield, CA	-
Highest paying state	Wyoming	-
Best paying company	Kiewit	-
Best paying industry	Construction	-

Differences between welder helper and welder-assembler education

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

	Welder Helper	Welder-Assembler
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 60%	High School Diploma, 48%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Precision Metal Working
Most common college	-	-

Welder helper vs welder-assembler demographics

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

	Welder Helper	Welder-Assembler
Average age	40	40
Gender ratio	Male, 92.1% Female, 7.9%	Male, 86.9% Female, 13.1%
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, 9.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.7% White, 64.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage	3%	3%

Differences between welder helper and welder-assembler duties and responsibilities

Welder helper example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Weld structural material including carbon steel and stainless steel using SMAW, and MIG processes.
Perform welder duties using SMAW, PAC, GMAW, oxy-fuel cutting, and GTAW processes.
Work on vessels welding using SMAW and FCAW
Can also Tig weld and use the process FCAW
Perform welder helper duties using electric, oxyacetylene, MIG and TIG welding processes.

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 helper vs welder-assembler skills

Common welder helper skills

Grind Welds, 10%
MIG, 9%
Grinders, 9%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Arc Welding, 7%
GMAW, 6%

Common welder-assembler skills

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