Career Overview
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
Also Known As
- Fabricator
- Machine Operator
- Mig Welder
- Spot Welder
Alternate Job Titles
- Aluminum Welder
- Arc and Gas Welder
- Arc Welding Machine Operator
- Billet Assembler
- Braze Operator
- Brazing Machine Operator
- Brazing Machine Setter
- Brazing Machine Setter Operator
- Brazing Machine Setup Operator
- Brazing Machine Tender
- Builder
- Certified Welder
- Controlled Atmospheric Furnace Brazer
- Electron Beam Machine Welder Setter
- Electron Beam Welder Setter
What You'll Do
In this role, your typical responsibilities include:
- Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
- Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
- Record operational information on specified production reports.
- Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
- Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
- Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
- Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
Knowledge You'll Use
You'll need solid knowledge in these areas:
- Production and Processing
- Administration and Management
Key Abilities
This career requires key abilities in:
- Near Vision
- Control Precision
- Manual Dexterity
- Arm-Hand Steadiness
- Visualization
- Selective Attention
- Problem Sensitivity
- Information Ordering
- Multilimb Coordination
- Reaction Time
Work Style
People who excel in this career typically demonstrate:
- Attention to Detail
- Dependability
- Cautiousness
- Integrity
- Stress Tolerance
What Matters in This Career
This career tends to satisfy these work values:
- Support
- Relationships
- Independence
- Working Conditions
- Achievement
Education & Preparation
Typical Education: Post-Secondary Certificate - awarded for training completed after high school (for example, in agriculture or natural resources, computer services, personal or culinary services, engineering technologies, healthcare, construction trades, mechanic and repair technologies, or precision production)
Related Work Experience Needed: Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
On-the-Job Training: Anything beyond short demonstration, up to and including 1 month
Education Details: Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
Experience Required: Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
Technology You'll Use
Popular Technologies & Software
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
Tools & Equipment
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Arc welding equipment
- Ball peen hammers
- Bench vises
- Brazing machines
- Brazing robots
- C clamps
- Center punches
- Chipping hammers
- Claw hammers
- Cold-welding machines
- Computerized numerical control CNC oxy-fuel systems
- Desktop computers
- Dial calipers
- Diffusion-welding machines
Work Environment
- Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets
- Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams
- Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable
- Importance of Being Exact or Accurate
- Time Pressure
Salary & Job Market
| Salary Percentile | Annual Wage |
|---|---|
| Entry-Level (10th percentile) | $35,780 |
| Median | $47,060 |
| Top Earners (90th percentile) | $66,190 |
Workers Employed Nationally: 36,290
Related Careers
If you're interested in this career, you might also consider:
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $51,000
Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,310
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $49,900
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $48,620
Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
Education: High School Diploma - or the equivalent (for example, GED)
Median Salary: $61,680
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Occupational data sourced from the O*NET OnLine database, developed by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Wage data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), 2024.