Welder vs mechanic

The differences between welders and mechanics can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. While it typically takes 2-4 years to become a welder, becoming a mechanic takes usually requires 1-2 years. Additionally, a mechanic has an average salary of $47,149, 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 mechanic are hand tools, preventive maintenance, and customer service.

Welder vs mechanic overview

	Welder	Mechanic
Yearly salary	$39,696	$47,149
Hourly rate	$19.08	$22.67
Growth rate	2%	4%
Number of jobs	9,463	100,534
Job satisfaction	4.25	4.25
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 42%
Average age	40	42
Years of experience	4	2

What does a welder do?

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.

What does a mechanic do?

Mechanics are professionals responsible for assembling, maintaining, and repairing vehicles and types of machinery. They are knowledgeable of various tools and equipment, machinery, electrical systems, and other components. They can usually be seen indoors, garages in particular. Due to the advancement of technology, they are also required to be familiar with computer and software programs that can be used in auto shops and vehicles. They always work in safety precautions.

Welder vs mechanic salary

Welders and mechanics have different pay scales, as shown below.

	Welder	Mechanic
Average salary	$39,696	$47,149
Salary range	Between $29,000 And $54,000	Between $35,000 And $63,000
Highest paying City	Woburn, MA	San Jose, CA
Highest paying state	Massachusetts	Connecticut
Best paying company	California Resources	Anheuser-Busch
Best paying industry	Automotive	Manufacturing

Differences between welder and mechanic education

There are a few differences between a welder and a mechanic in terms of educational background:

	Welder	Mechanic
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 46%	High School Diploma, 42%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Automotive Technology
Most common college	-	-

Welder vs mechanic demographics

Here are the differences between welders' and mechanics' demographics:

	Welder	Mechanic
Average age	40	42
Gender ratio	Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1%	Male, 95.7% Female, 4.3%
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, 8.5% Unknown, 5.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.1% Asian, 2.4% White, 65.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%
LGBT Percentage	3%	2%

Differences between welder and mechanic duties and responsibilities

Welder example responsibilities.

Manage and run production parts through the brake.
Weld with oxyacetylene, MIG, and brazing all kind of materials like bronze, platinum, aluminum, and flux.
Experience TIG, plasma cutting, brazing, torch cutting, shears press, bending and manipulating heated metal.
Fabricate and weld car carrier trailers using MIG welding method, used overhead cranes to lift weld pieces up.
Fabricate and weld the steel reinforcement and forms according to print on a vibratory bed using MIG and GMAW welding.
Experience welding pipe ranging from 2"up to 72"pressure vessels using the GMAW and FCAW welding process.

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Mechanic example responsibilities.

Dismantle and re-assemble equipment, using hoists and hand tools, such as transfer cases, hydraulic cylinders, bell housings.
Identify issues with wire feeder and power source, break press, overhead cranes , 2 ton to 25 ton hoists.
chain saws, trimmers, tractors, push mowers, blowers, generators, cut saws, power washers, etc.
Work with networking, plumbing, troubleshooting electrical and performing mechanical repairs.
Monitor HVAC systems and operations, and ensure that routine preventive maintenance are performed according to establish schedules.
Complete repair of low-boy style trailers, and tractors with wet line PTO systems.

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Welder vs mechanic skills

Common welder skills

Arc Welding, 8%
Aluminum, 7%
Hand Tools, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
Stainless Steel, 5%
GMAW, 5%

Common mechanic skills

Hand Tools, 9%
Preventive Maintenance, 8%
Customer Service, 7%
Customer Vehicles, 7%
Diagnosis, 6%
Electrical Systems, 5%

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Updated January 8, 2025

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