Life As a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
Position Description 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, & Brazing Machine Operator Responsibilities
- Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
- Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
- Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
- Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
- Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
- Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
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Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator Required Skills
Below is a list of the skills most Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders say are important on the job.
Operation Monitoring: Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control: Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Active Listening: Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.
Speaking: Talking to others to convey information effectively.
Critical Thinking: Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems.
Monitoring: Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Types of Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender
- Brazing Machine Setter and Setup Operator
- Ultrasonic Welding Machine Operator
- Mig Welder
- Arc and Gas Welder
- Travograph Operator
Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator Employment Estimates
In 2016, there was an estimated number of 49,200 jobs in the United States for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. There is little to no growth in job opportunities for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender. The BLS estimates 4,400 yearly job openings in this field.

The states with the most job growth for Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator are Utah, Alabama, and North Dakota. Watch out if you plan on working in New Mexico, Colorado, or Maine. These states have the worst job growth for this type of profession.
How Much Does a Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator Make?
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make between $26,200 and $54,400 a year.

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Massachusetts, North Dakota, or South Dakota, make the highest salaries.
Below is a list of the median annual salaries for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in different U.S. states.
State | Annual Mean Salary |
---|---|
Alabama | $35,540 |
Arizona | $39,980 |
Arkansas | $40,830 |
California | $40,780 |
Colorado | $39,350 |
Connecticut | $41,260 |
Florida | $38,860 |
Georgia | $37,170 |
Idaho | $33,180 |
Illinois | $36,730 |
Indiana | $34,690 |
Iowa | $40,480 |
Kansas | $37,000 |
Kentucky | $37,520 |
Louisiana | $44,150 |
Maine | $39,670 |
Maryland | $39,210 |
Massachusetts | $46,730 |
Michigan | $39,390 |
Minnesota | $43,480 |
Mississippi | $35,330 |
Missouri | $34,900 |
Montana | $32,650 |
Nebraska | $42,130 |
Nevada | $40,440 |
New Hampshire | $39,830 |
New Jersey | $34,900 |
New York | $41,000 |
North Carolina | $41,360 |
North Dakota | $43,260 |
Ohio | $40,570 |
Oklahoma | $39,250 |
Oregon | $42,250 |
Pennsylvania | $40,940 |
Rhode Island | $41,530 |
South Carolina | $43,780 |
South Dakota | $43,060 |
Tennessee | $40,260 |
Texas | $38,390 |
Utah | $35,300 |
Vermont | $41,090 |
Virginia | $38,940 |
Washington | $49,560 |
West Virginia | $37,030 |
Wisconsin | $39,100 |
What Tools do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Use?
Although they’re not necessarily needed for all jobs, the following technologies are used by many Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Word
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Outlook
- Data entry software
- Email software
- Word processing software
- Microsoft Windows
- Spreadsheet software
- Linux
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- SAP software
- Microsoft operating system
Becoming a Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator
Individuals working as a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender have obtained the following education levels:

How many years of work experience do I need?

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

Below are examples of industries where Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders work:

References:
Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain
More about our data sources and methodologies.
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