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Welder-machine operator vs general machine operator

The differences between welder-machine operators and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a welder-machine operator has an average salary of $37,171, which is higher than the $32,414 average annual salary of a general machine operator.

The top three skills for a welder-machine operator include arc welding, safety equipment and stainless steel. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Welder-machine operator vs general machine operator overview

Welder-Machine OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Yearly salary$37,171$32,414
Hourly rate$17.87$15.58
Growth rate-5%7%
Number of jobs68,316138,111
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 50%
Average age4044
Years of experience6-

Welder-machine operator vs general machine operator salary

Welder-machine operators and general machine operators have different pay scales, as shown below.

Welder-Machine OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Average salary$37,171$32,414
Salary rangeBetween $27,000 And $49,000Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying CityFontana, CAOshkosh, WI
Highest paying stateNevadaWisconsin
Best paying companyBWX TechnologiesReckitt Benckiser
Best paying industryTechnologyFinance

Differences between welder-machine operator and general machine operator education

There are a few differences between a welder-machine operator and a general machine operator in terms of educational background:

Welder-Machine OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Most common degreeHigh School Diploma, 53%High School Diploma, 50%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common collegeDunwoody College of Technology-

Welder-machine operator vs general machine operator demographics

Here are the differences between welder-machine operators' and general machine operators' demographics:

Welder-Machine OperatorGeneral Machine Operator
Average age4044
Gender ratioMale, 84.6% Female, 15.4%Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 11.0% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.5% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.1% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 11.9% Unknown, 3.4% Hispanic or Latino, 15.2% Asian, 7.3% White, 61.0% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2%
LGBT Percentage3%5%

Differences between welder-machine operator and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Welder-machine operator example responsibilities.

  • Weld required parts using GMAW, GTAW, and SMAW.
  • Require to weld a wide veriety of assemblies, fabricate parts and maintain equipment and fixtures employing GMAW and GTAW techniques.
  • Operate the welding robots and do rework with the MIG welder.
  • Weld both steel and aluminum pressure tanks for both train and truck air brake systems.
  • Dismantle metal assemblies and cut scrap metal, using thermal-cutting equipment such as flame-cutting torches or plasma-arc equipment.
  • Position, align, fit, and weld together parts, using jigs, welding torch, and hand tools.
  • Show more

General machine operator example responsibilities.

  • Lift work pieces to machines using hoists.
  • Control & troubleshoot automate extrusion line adjusting speed & feed, monitoring temperature, & finish material specification per customers order.
  • Overlook daily operations of single/twin screw extruders and packaging of finish product.

Welder-machine operator vs general machine operator skills

Common welder-machine operator skills
  • Arc Welding, 7%
  • Safety Equipment, 7%
  • Stainless Steel, 6%
  • CNC, 6%
  • Tig Welding, 5%
  • Tape Measure, 5%
Common general machine operator skills
  • Math, 12%
  • CNC, 10%
  • Safety Procedures, 10%
  • Troubleshoot, 9%
  • Production Process, 8%
  • Machine Operation, 6%

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