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.
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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.

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.

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?

How many years of work experience do I need?

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

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