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

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What is a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender?

Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator Definition 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.

Life As a Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator

  • Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
  • Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
  • Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
  • Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
  • Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
  • Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.

Skills Needed to be a Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator

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.

Other Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator Job Titles

  • Rod Welder
  • Welding Machine Operator
  • Laser Beam Machine Operator
  • Surface Mount Technology Operator (SMT Operator)
  • Gas Welding Machine Operator

Job Opportunities for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

There were about 49,200 jobs for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setter, Operator, or Tender in 2016 (in the United States). 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.

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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.

Welding, Soldering, & Brazing Machine Operator Average Salary

The salary for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders ranges between about $26,200 and $54,400 a year.

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Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders who work in Massachusetts, North Dakota, or South Dakota, make the highest salaries.

How much do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make in each U.S. state?

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

Are there Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders education requirements?

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How many years of work experience do I need?

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

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The table below shows some of the most common industries where those employed in this career field work.

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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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