Welding Machine Operator

Explore This Path

Perfect for those who love working with cutting-edge technology and precision tools.
Play a crucial role in manufacturing by ensuring metal components meet exact standards.
Operate advanced machines that shape the future of metal fabrication and innovation.

💰 Earn $39K-$56K

📚 High School Diploma or GED

⏱️ 6–12 MONTH TRAINING

📈 -8.9% JOB GROWTH

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What You’ll Do

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.

Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.

Scoop

Minimum Education

High School Diploma or GED

Career Prospects

Risky (Decreasing by 5% or more)

Training Time

6 months to 1 year

Job Openings

3,000 Annually

Median Earnings

$46,160 in California

$45,350 Nationally

$25K

$50K

$75K

$100K

$125K

$150K

$175K

$200K

$225K

$250K

Best For You If...

YOU Like 💕

Using data or completing tasks
Working with my hands

You are skilled in 💫

Active Listening
Monitoring
Operation and Control
Operations Monitoring
Quality Control Analysis
Speaking

You value 🙏

Having support
Having freedom
Personal relationships

Deep Dive

Welding Machine Operator

Explore career pathways, key skills, and what each role has to offer.

Pathways to this Career

Learn about the education and training paths that can lead to this career — and what to expect from each one.

Vocational School

A vocational school typically equips students with specialized skills and practical training in specific trades or occupations, enhancing their employability and providing direct pathways to relevant careers.

🎓 Skills-Focused

⏱️ FINISH IN 6 months - 2 years

Associate's Degree

An associate's degree typically provides graduates with foundational knowledge and skills for entry-level jobs in the graduate's industry, or serves as a stepping stone towards further education.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 2-3 years

Bachelor's Degree

A bachelor's degree typically results in increased knowledge about a variety of academic subjects, specialized knowledge in a focused field of study, and is considered the foundational qualification for many careers.

🎓 College

⏱️ FINISH IN 4-5+ years