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The differences between welders and mig 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 mig welder. Additionally, a welder has an average salary of $39,696, which is higher than the $35,476 average annual salary of a mig welder.
The top three skills for a welder include arc welding, aluminum and hand tools. The most important skills for a mig welder are tape measure, arc welding, and jigs.
| Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Yearly salary | $39,696 | $35,476 |
| Hourly rate | $19.08 | $17.06 |
| Growth rate | 2% | 2% |
| Number of jobs | 9,463 | 7,051 |
| Job satisfaction | 4.25 | - |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| 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.
The MIG welder is responsible for creating metal projects using inert gas welding techniques and electric arc processes. MIG welders carefully fuse metal components, avoiding contamination on the weld, as well as managing the metal bond defects. They analyze specifications, interpret blueprints, and operate various machine tools and equipment for accurate measuring and cutting. The MIG welder should strictly follow the safety procedures at all times during operations to avoid hazards in the workplace, including the proper storage and cleaning of welding tools and materials.
Welders and mig welders have different pay scales, as shown below.
| Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Average salary | $39,696 | $35,476 |
| Salary range | Between $29,000 And $54,000 | Between $28,000 And $44,000 |
| Highest paying City | Woburn, MA | Salt Lake City, UT |
| Highest paying state | Massachusetts | Alaska |
| Best paying company | California Resources | Invacare |
| Best paying industry | Automotive | Automotive |
There are a few differences between a welder and a mig welder in terms of educational background:
| Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Most common degree | High School Diploma, 46% | High School Diploma, 47% |
| Most common major | Precision Metal Working | Precision Metal Working |
| Most common college | - | - |
Here are the differences between welders' and mig welders' demographics:
| Welder | MIG Welder | |
| Average age | 40 | 40 |
| Gender ratio | Male, 93.9% Female, 6.1% | Male, 91.9% Female, 8.1% |
| 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, 10.8% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 3.0% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6% |
| LGBT Percentage | 3% | 3% |