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Wire welder vs ship fitter

The differences between wire welders and ship fitters can be seen in a few details. Each job has different responsibilities and duties. It typically takes 2-4 years to become both a wire welder and a ship fitter. Additionally, a ship fitter has an average salary of $45,247, which is higher than the $38,882 average annual salary of a wire welder.

The top three skills for a wire welder include MIG, calipers and FCAW. The most important skills for a ship fitter are hand tools, tack-weld, and tack welding.

Wire welder vs ship fitter overview

Wire WelderShip Fitter
Yearly salary$38,882$45,247
Hourly rate$18.69$21.75
Growth rate2%2%
Number of jobs7,2829,742
Job satisfaction--
Most common degreeDiploma, 43%High School Diploma, 40%
Average age4040
Years of experience44

Wire welder vs ship fitter salary

Wire welders and ship fitters have different pay scales, as shown below.

Wire WelderShip Fitter
Average salary$38,882$45,247
Salary rangeBetween $29,000 And $51,000Between $31,000 And $64,000
Highest paying City-Mount Laurel, NJ
Highest paying state-New Jersey
Best paying company-BWX Technologies
Best paying industry-Technology

Differences between wire welder and ship fitter education

There are a few differences between a wire welder and a ship fitter in terms of educational background:

Wire WelderShip Fitter
Most common degreeDiploma, 43%High School Diploma, 40%
Most common majorPrecision Metal WorkingBusiness
Most common college--

Wire welder vs ship fitter demographics

Here are the differences between wire welders' and ship fitters' demographics:

Wire WelderShip Fitter
Average age4040
Gender ratioMale, 89.1% Female, 10.9%Male, 87.7% Female, 12.3%
Race ratioBlack or African American, 7.3% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 19.8% Asian, 3.6% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%Black or African American, 10.4% Unknown, 4.0% Hispanic or Latino, 17.7% Asian, 2.7% White, 63.7% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.6%
LGBT Percentage3%3%

Differences between wire welder and ship fitter duties and responsibilities

Wire welder example responsibilities.

  • Secure loads of 6"to 12"casing , 4"PVC liner and water on service truck.
  • Operate MIG welder to produce parts and or products.
  • Certificate courses in any repute institute in MIG welding are favore.
  • Skil with cutting torch, over head cranes, and welding machine, grinder, and tape measure
  • Perform MIG and stick welds and erecting structural steel utilize for building skeletons including specific/ detail measurements for accuracy.
  • Perform preventive maintenance, electronic robotic operation, pneumatic system operation, and initial quality control.

Ship fitter example responsibilities.

  • Achieve x-ray certification on aluminum using MIG process.
  • Lead and assist in executing pipefitting/welding of steel, copper, PVC, and flange piping.
  • Cut materials with various tools including torches, reciprocating saws, grinders and plasma cutters to ensure exact measurements.
  • Work includes using torches, grinders and other power tools to cut material to size and prep to weld and paint.
  • Assemble hoisting and rigging equipment.
  • Repair and re-fit oil rig platforms.
  • Show more

Wire welder vs ship fitter skills

Common wire welder skills
  • MIG, 51%
  • Calipers, 14%
  • FCAW, 13%
  • Cranes, 10%
  • Structural Steel, 3%
  • Assembly Line, 3%
Common ship fitter skills
  • Hand Tools, 14%
  • Tack-Weld, 10%
  • Tack Welding, 7%
  • Tape Measure, 6%
  • Cranes, 6%
  • Safety Rules, 5%

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