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

Overview

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders has a national median salary of $47,920 per year, with -8.9% projected job growth from 2025–2035. The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation.

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.

Work Values

• Support
• Relationships
• Independence

Work Styles

Responsibilities

Tasks

• 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.
• Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
• Record operational information on specified production reports.
• Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.

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
• Repairing and Maintaining Mechanical Equipment

Detailed Work Activities

• Using either control mechanisms or direct physical activity to operate machines or processes (not including computers or vehicles).
• Observing, receiving, and otherwise obtaining information from all relevant sources.
• Inspecting equipment, structures, or materials to identify the cause of errors or other problems or defects.
• Identifying information by categorizing, estimating, recognizing differences or similarities, and detecting changes in circumstances or events.
• Monitoring and reviewing information from materials, events, or the environment, to detect or assess problems.
• Using hands and arms in handling, installing, positioning, and moving materials, and manipulating things.
• Running, maneuvering, navigating, or driving vehicles or mechanized equipment, such as forklifts, passenger vehicles, aircraft, or watercraft.
• Providing information to supervisors, co-workers, and subordinates by telephone, in written form, e-mail, or in person.
• Analyzing information and evaluating results to choose the best solution and solve problems.
• Servicing, repairing, adjusting, and testing machines, devices, moving parts, and equipment that operate primarily on the basis of mechanical (not electronic) principles.

T-A-S-K

Technology, Abilities, Skills & Knowledge

Education

Education Levels of Current Workers

The Bureau of Labor Statistics lists a high school diploma or equivalent as the typical education needed to enter this occupation. The chart below shows the highest level of education held by people already working in this field, ages 25 and older. It includes workers who earned more education than the job requires and workers who entered the field under earlier requirements, so the largest bar is not the entry requirement. For example, if someone finished an associate's degree and then started working in this field, they are counted under “Associate's degree” here, but the job itself typically asks for a high school diploma or equivalent.

Certificates

Certifications applicable to Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders:

Video Resources