Find Schools

Study Area & Zipcode

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender

Find Schools Near

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.

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.

undefined

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.

undefined

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:

undefined

How many years of work experience do I need?

undefined

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

undefined

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

undefined

References:

Image Credit: US Air Force photo/Airman 1st Class John Linzmeier via Public domain

More about our data sources and methodologies.

Featured Schools

Find Schools Near You

Our free school finder matches students with accredited colleges across the U.S.