Welder operator vs general machine operator

The differences between welder operators and general machine operators can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. Additionally, a general machine operator has an average salary of $32,414, which is higher than the $31,669 average annual salary of a welder operator.

The top three skills for a welder operator include MIG, arc welding and hand tools. The most important skills for a general machine operator are math, CNC, and safety procedures.

Welder operator vs general machine operator overview

	Welder Operator	General Machine Operator
Yearly salary	$31,669	$32,414
Hourly rate	$15.23	$15.58
Growth rate	2%	7%
Number of jobs	51,229	138,111
Job satisfaction	-	-
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 50%
Average age	40	44
Years of experience	4	-

Welder operator vs general machine operator salary

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

	Welder Operator	General Machine Operator
Average salary	$31,669	$32,414
Salary range	Between $25,000 And $38,000	Between $26,000 And $39,000
Highest paying City	Chicopee, MA	Oshkosh, WI
Highest paying state	Wyoming	Wisconsin
Best paying company	Capco	Reckitt Benckiser
Best paying industry	Automotive	Finance

Differences between welder operator and general machine operator education

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

	Welder Operator	General Machine Operator
Most common degree	High School Diploma, 50%	High School Diploma, 50%
Most common major	Precision Metal Working	Business
Most common college	-	-

Welder operator vs general machine operator demographics

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

	Welder Operator	General Machine Operator
Average age	40	44
Gender ratio	Male, 85.6% Female, 14.4%	Male, 81.2% Female, 18.8%
Race ratio	Black or African American, 10.6% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.6% Asian, 2.8% White, 63.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.7%	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 Percentage	3%	5%

Differences between welder operator and general machine operator duties and responsibilities

Welder operator example responsibilities.

Manage aluminum structural/pipe fabrication turnaround: cross-country CGIT/IPB megawatt electrical power conductors.
Weld carbon steel pipes using GTAW and SMAW.
Weld with (GMAW) on aluminum.
Maintain certifications in SMAW, GMAW, and GTAW.
Perform TIG and MIG welding processes on fabrications according to the blueprints specifications.
Weld heavy industrial clamps together using the MIG and TIG process on AR400 grade steel.

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 operator vs general machine operator skills

Common welder operator skills

MIG, 12%
Arc Welding, 9%
Hand Tools, 8%
Safety Equipment, 7%
Tig Welding, 6%
GMAW, 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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Welder Operator
Welder Operator vs General Machine Operator

Updated January 8, 2025

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