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The differences between welders and lead 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 and a lead welder. Additionally, a lead welder has an average salary of $45,718, which is higher than the $39,696 average annual salary of a welder.
The top three skills for a welder include arc welding, aluminum and hand tools. The most important skills for a lead welder are aluminum, stainless steel, and safety equipment.
| Welder | Lead Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $39,696 | $45,718 |
| Hourly rate | $19.08 | $21.98 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 9,463 | 8,274 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.25 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Years of experience | 4 | 4 |
Welders are skilled workers who primarily work on metals and other metalworks. One of the most commonly known activities that welders do is fusing materials that are made of metal. They usually work on buildings, large pipes, and cars. They also fix holes or any other imperfection on metal materials. They do these by applying heat using welding torches or any other special tools that they have. Welders are also responsible for studying blueprints related to the items they will work on, ensuring that all needed materials are available, practicing occupational safety and health protocols, and maintaining the welding tools they use.
A Lead Welder inspects welds to ensure that code and quality control standards are met. They also test and inspect welded surfaces and structures to discover flaws.
Welders and lead welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Welder | Lead Welder | |
| Average salary | $39,696 | $45,718 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $33,000 And $62,000 |
| Highest paying City | Woburn, MA | - |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | - |
| Best paying company | California Resources | - |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | - |
There are a few differences between a welder and a lead welder in terms of educational background:
| Welder | Lead Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 39% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between welders' and lead welders' demographics:
| Welder | Lead Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1% | Male, 95.9% Female, 4.1% |
| Race ratio | Black or African American, 10.0% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 18.0% Asian, 3.0% White, 63.2% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% | Black or African American, 9.6% Unknown, 4.1% Hispanic or Latino, 17.9% Asian, 2.9% White, 63.8% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |