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Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Virginia
Want to work as a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Virginia? Here’s what the data says. 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.
What do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Make in Virginia?
The welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders working in Virginia, wages run about $47,310 per year (or roughly $22.74/hour).Annual wages span from $37,820 at the 10th percentile to $60,570 at the 90th percentile.
| Wage Statistic | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile | $37,820 | $18.18 |
| 25th percentile | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| Median (50th) | $47,310 | $22.74 |
| 75th percentile | $51,980 | $24.99 |
| 90th percentile | $60,570 | $29.12 |
Location quotient — how concentrated this career is in Virginia nationwide is 0.53, meaning fewer welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders per worker than the national average.
National Wage Comparison
Nationally, welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn a median of $50,993 per year ($24.52/hour), below the Virginia median.
Employment Outlook
Nationally, total employment in this occupation is 229,159 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders nationwide. In Virginia alone, around 510 people work in this role. That puts the state above the typical state, which employs around 400 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders.
Top Virginia Metros for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
The largest metro-area employers of welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Virginia.
| Metro Area | Number Employed | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC | 130 | $47,620 |
| Lynchburg, VA | 70 | $49,140 |
| Richmond, VA | 60 | $46,670 |
| Roanoke, VA | 60 | $39,850 |
Top States for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Employment
These states have the highest employment of welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders work.
| State | Number Employed |
|---|---|
| Michigan | 4,360 |
| Ohio | 2,840 |
| Indiana | 2,640 |
| Kentucky | 2,400 |
| Texas | 2,400 |
| California | 2,310 |
| Tennessee | 1,980 |
| Iowa | 1,650 |
| Alabama | 1,540 |
| Wisconsin | 1,210 |
| Pennsylvania | 1,030 |
| Florida | 930 |
| Georgia | 930 |
| Mississippi | 930 |
| North Carolina | 810 |
| Nebraska | 770 |
| Massachusetts | 710 |
| New York | 660 |
| Virginia | 510 |
| New Jersey | 480 |
Highest-Paying States for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
These states pay the most for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders.
| State | Annual Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Washington | $78,460 |
| Alaska | $76,860 |
| Louisiana | $66,660 |
| Maryland | $62,560 |
| Minnesota | $57,830 |
| Kentucky | $57,590 |
| New Jersey | $57,140 |
| Connecticut | $56,750 |
| Colorado | $53,580 |
| Nebraska | $53,290 |
Skills
The most important welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders skills, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Knowledge Areas
Important knowledge areas for this occupation, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Abilities
Top abilities for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders, rated on an importance scale of 0 to 5:
Daily Tasks
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders typically:
- Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
- Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
- Record operational information on specified production reports.
- Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
- Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
- Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
- Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
- Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
- Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
- Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
- Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
- Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Work Activities
- Controlling Machines and Processes
- Getting Information
- Inspecting Equipment, Structures, or Materials
- Identifying Objects, Actions, and Events
- Monitoring Processes, Materials, or Surroundings
- Handling and Moving Objects
- Operating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or Equipment
- Communicating with Supervisors, Peers, or Subordinates
- Making Decisions and Solving Problems
- Thinking Creatively
- Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment
- Updating and Using Relevant Knowledge
Tools & Technology
Common tools and software used in this occupation include: Hot technologies: Linux
What Major Will Prepare You For This Career?
Programs that train for this career include:
Related Careers
Related occupations to welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders include:
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related Repairers
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers
- Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers
- Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
Also Known As
Aluminum Welder, Arc Welding Machine Operator, Arc and Gas Welder, Billet Assembler, Braze Operator, Brazing Machine Operator, Brazing Machine Setter, Brazing Machine Setter Operator, Brazing Machine Setup Operator, Brazing Machine Tender, Builder, Certified Welder, Controlled Atmospheric Furnace Brazer, Electron Beam Machine Welder Setter, Electron Beam Welder Setter.
References
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics — https://www.bls.gov/oes/
- O*NET Online — https://www.onetonline.org/
- BLS Employment Projections — https://www.bls.gov/emp/
- O*NET-SOC code: 51-4122.00
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