Salary, Job Description, How To Become One, and Quiz
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Welding, Soldering And Brazing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders
Welding, Soldering And Brazing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders 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.
Table of contents
What they do
Welding, Soldering And Brazing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders 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.
Welding, Soldering and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators and Tenders 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.
Typical day
On a daily basis, Welding and Brazing Machine Operators select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records. They set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
A typical day for a Welding, Soldering and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator and Tender will also include:
- Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
- Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
- 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.
- Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
Other responsibilities
Besides their typical day, Welding and Brazing Machine Operators also give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use. They may also devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
On a weekly to monthly basis, Welding and Brazing Machine Operators dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels. They might also remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
In addition, they add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
Although specific duties may vary, many of them conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
To some Welding and Brazing Machine Operators, it is also their responsibility to immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
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What is the job like
Job satisfaction
Is this job meaningful
63% said they were satisfied with their job and 26% said they found their job meaningful.
Pros
Suitable for people who likes practical and hands-on work.
Suitable for people who wants to work in a supportive work environment.
It is easy to get into this career. Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is required to get started.
Demand for this career is growing very fast.
Cons
Not suitable for people who likes to help and teach others.
One of the lowest paying jobs.
How much do they make
Average salary
Average hourly wage
Entry-level Welding, Soldering And Brazing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders with little to no experience can expect to make anywhere between $27,990 to $32,630 per year or $13 to $16 per hour.
| Salary by experience | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Highest (Top 10%) | $58,660 | $28 |
| Senior (Top 25%) | $48,750 | $23 |
| Median | $39,410 | $19 |
| Junior (Bottom 25%) | $32,630 | $16 |
| No experience (Bottom 10%) | $27,990 | $13 |
This table shows the top 10 highest paying industries for Welding, Soldering And Brazing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders based on their average annual salary.
| Salary by industry | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $77290 | $37.16 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $59790 | $28.75 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $54410 | $26.16 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $54250 | $26.08 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $51780 | $24.90 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $51330 | $24.68 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $51170 | $24.60 |
| Utility System Construction | $49450 | $23.77 |
| Foundries | $47990 | $23.07 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $46600 | $22.40 |
View more salary by industries here.
Where can they work
Where can Welding, Soldering And Brazing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders work? Here is a table showing the top 10 largest employers of Welding, Soldering And Brazing Machine Setters, Operators And Tenders including the average salary in that industry.
| Employers | Total Employed | Annual Salary | Hourly Wages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Machinery Manufacturing | 5530 | $41220 | $19.82 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | 4900 | $37940 | $18.24 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 4770 | $42280 | $20.33 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | 2040 | $38800 | $18.65 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | 1450 | $38810 | $18.66 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | 1410 | $54410 | $26.16 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | 1360 | $40070 | $19.27 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | 1090 | $37700 | $18.13 |
| Employment Services | 950 | $36960 | $17.77 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | 780 | $37700 | $18.12 |
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What is the work day like
Working hours
Working schedule
How often do you use email in this job?
Telephone
How often do you have telephone conversations in this job?
Group discussions
How often do you have group discussions in this job?
Public speaking
How often does this job require you to do public speaking?
Level of competition
How much competitive pressure is in this job?
What is the work environment like
Office-style environment
Indoors in an environmentally controlled condition
Warehouse-style environment
Indoors in a non-controlled environmental condition such as a warehouse
Outdoors
Outdoors exposed to all weather conditions
Outdoors – Under Cover
Outdoors but under cover (e.g. structure with roof but no walls)
How to become one
Difficulty to become one
Required level of education
What level of education do you need to perform the job?
Relevant majors
Welding Technology/Welder
Relevant work experience
How much related work experience do you need to get hired for the job?
On The Job Training
How much on the job training do you need to perform the job?
Should you become one
Best personality type for this career
People with this personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Builder personality type likes practical and hands-on work. They prefer working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery.
People with The Thinker personality likes to work with ideas that require an extensive amount of thinking. They prefer work that requires them to solve problems mentally.
People with The Artist personality likes to work with designs and patterns. They prefer activities that require self-expression and prefer work that can be done without following a clear set of rules.
People with The Helper personality type likes to work with people and in teams. They prefer work that allows them to build relationships with others.
People with The Leader personality likes to start and work on projects. They also like leading people and making many decisions.
People with The Organizer personality type likes to follow set procedures and routines. They prefer working with data and details more than with ideas.
You can read more about these career personality types here.
People who are suitable for this job tends to like work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They like working with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery..
They also like following set procedures and routines. They like working with data and details more than with ideas.
Take this quiz to see if this is the right career for you.
Work Values
Which values are the most important to a person’s satisfaction for this job?
You are someone who is results oriented. You prefer work that allows you to utilize your skills and abilities while at the same time giving you a sense of accomplishment.
You are someone who values job security, steady employment, and good working conditions. You also prefer work that keeps you busy all the time with something different to do every day.
You are someone who values job advancement and leadership roles. You prefer work that receives recognition for the work you do and jobs that are looked up to by others in the company and your community.
You are someone who likes to provide a service to others. You prefer a work environment where you can work with your co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment.
You are someone who values a company that stands behind their employees. You prefer a work environment where everyone is treated fairly and is being supported by the company.
You are someone who likes to work on your own and make your own decisions. You prefer work that requires little supervision and are allowed to try out your own ideas.
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