Manufacturing

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.

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Salary Breakdown

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Average

$38,480

ANNUAL

$18.50

HOURLY

Entry Level

$30,010

ANNUAL

$14.43

HOURLY

Mid Level

$37,310

ANNUAL

$17.94

HOURLY

Expert Level

$47,650

ANNUAL

$22.91

HOURLY

Projected Jobs

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

2,440

Projected job openings through 2030

Sample Career Roadmap

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Degree Recommendations

(FCAW) Structural Welding
 Southeastern Career Center
  View Program
(GMAW) Structural Welding
 Southeastern Career Center
  View Program
(SMAW) Structural Welding
 Southeastern Career Center
  View Program
6G PIPE-UPHILL WELDING
 Knight School of Welding
  View Program
A.W.S. Welding, GMAW(MIG) Region 7
 Wagler Education Training Center
  View Program

Top Expected Tasks

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

01

Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.

02

Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.

03

Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.

04

Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.

05

Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.

06

Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.

07

Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.

08

Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.

09

Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.

10

Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Common knowledge, skills & abilities needed to get a foot in the door.

KNOWLEDGE

Mathematics

KNOWLEDGE

Mechanical

KNOWLEDGE

Education and Training

KNOWLEDGE

Design

KNOWLEDGE

Production and Processing

SKILL

Operations Monitoring

SKILL

Active Listening

SKILL

Critical Thinking

SKILL

Operation and Control

SKILL

Speaking

ABILITY

Control Precision

ABILITY

Near Vision

ABILITY

Manual Dexterity

ABILITY

Problem Sensitivity

ABILITY

Visualization

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About This Career Path

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.

Environment

Metal and plastic machine workers are employed mainly in factories. Workers must adhere to safety standards to protect themselves from workplace hazards. Most work full time, and some work evenings and weekends.

Also Known As

  • Arc cutter
  • Ironworker
  • Metal fabricator
  • Welder
  • Welder and cutter
  • Welder-fitter
  • Welding fabrication assistant
  • Arc welder
  • Lead burner
  • Steelworker
  • Welder apprentice
  • Welder, gas
  • Welders cutters solderers and brazers
  • Welding technologist
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