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.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC: 51-4122 O*NET: 51-4122.00
Median Salary
$47,060
per year
Job Growth
📉 -9%
Slower (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
3.2
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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 does a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$35,780
10th percentile
Early Career
$39,480
25th percentile
Median
$47,060
50th percentile
Experienced
$55,870
75th percentile
Top Earners
$66,190
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$35,780
25th
$39,480
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$47,060
Mean: $49,270
75th
$55,870
90th
$66,190
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $30,410 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $39,480 and $55,870
- •Salary spread is 34.8% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 36,290 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Low Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:38,900
Top Industries
Manufacturing85.3%
Transportation Equipment Manufacturing24.2%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing23.9%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:-9%
Annual Openings:3,200
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)38,900
Current
2034 (Projected)35,400
-9%
-3,500
Employment Change
-9%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: Decline
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 44 locations
Michigan
4,360 jobs$40,4704.22x
Ohio
2,840 jobs$47,8302.18x
Indiana
2,640 jobs$38,9703.52x
Kentucky
2,400 jobs$57,5905.11x
Texas
2,400 jobs$51,2200.74x
California
2,310 jobs$47,1800.54x
Tennessee
1,980 jobs$45,6002.56x
Iowa
1,650 jobs$52,1004.49x
Alabama
1,540 jobs$37,3103.13x
Wisconsin
1,210 jobs$48,1701.76x
Pennsylvania
1,030 jobs$46,5300.73x
Georgia
930 jobs$43,5000.81x
Mississippi
930 jobs$41,4903.42x
Florida
930 jobs$39,7900.40x
North Carolina
810 jobs$46,6600.70x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Employment decline projected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Operations Monitoring
100%
#2
Production and Processing
100%
#3
Near Vision
100%
#4
Operation and Control
92%
#5
Control Precision
92%
#6
Critical Thinking
82%
#7
Manual Dexterity
82%
#8
Speaking
74%
#9
Arm-Hand Steadiness
74%
#10
Administration and Management
70%
Skills Overview
Operations Monitoring
advanced5.0
100%
Production and Processing
advanced5.0
100%
Near Vision
advanced5.0
100%
Operation and Control
advanced4.6
92%
Control Precision
advanced4.6
92%
Critical Thinking
intermediate4.1
82%
Manual Dexterity
intermediate4.1
82%
Speaking
intermediate3.7
74%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Operations Monitoring
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Production and Processing
advancedImportance100%
knowledge
5.0/5.0
Near Vision
advancedImportance100%
abilities
5.0/5.0
Operation and Control
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Control Precision
advancedImportance92%
abilities
4.6/5.0
Critical Thinking
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Manual Dexterity
intermediateImportance82%
abilities
4.1/5.0
Speaking
intermediateImportance74%
skills
3.7/5.0
Arm-Hand Steadiness
intermediateImportance74%
abilities
3.7/5.0
Administration and Management
intermediateImportance70%
knowledge
3.5/5.0
Reading Comprehension
basicImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Visualization
intermediateImportance66%
abilities
3.3/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders89%
5 shared skills
Patternmakers, Metal and Plastic89%
5 shared skills
Conveyor Operators and Tenders88%
5 shared skills
Power Plant Operators80%
5 shared skills
Captains, Mates, and Pilots of Water Vessels80%
5 shared skills
Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders80%
5 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Must Have:
- ✓Production and Processing
Learn on the Job:
- →Reading Comprehension
- →Complex Problem Solving
- →Visualization
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Operations Monitoring
- ✓Production and Processing
- ✓Operation and Control
- ✓Critical Thinking
- ✓Near Vision
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Production and Processing
- ★Operation and Control
- ★Critical Thinking
- ★Near Vision
- ★Control Precision
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Microsoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechSAP software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechLinux
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft PowerPoint
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Word
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Microsoft Outlook
SAP software
Microsoft Office software
Linux
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft PowerPoint
Microsoft Excel
Microsoft Word
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
MOSTLY TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy mostly team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
Training & Development (2)Operations & Execution (1)General Responsibilities (12)Management & Supervision (1)Documentation & Record-Keeping (5)
1
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Training & Development100% perform100%
2
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Management & Supervision91% perform94%
5
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Record operational information on specified production reports.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Documentation & Record-Keeping82% perform88%
8
Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
Training & Development76% perform84%
10
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on training & development activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.17
Dependability
ImportantDependability
Importance Level3.94
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.78
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.71
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.64
Independence
ImportantIndependence
Importance Level3.60
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.2
Dependability
3.9
Integrity
3.8
Self-Control
3.7
Cooperation
3.6
Independence
3.6
Persistence
3.6
Analytical Thinking
3.6
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
Ready to Start Your Journey?
Explore educational programs that can help you become a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
Browse Training Programs →Trade Colleges That Train for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Top trade colleges by completions in fields that prepare students for this career.
Ivy Tech Community College
Indianapolis, IN
2.3k program completions/year
Texas State Technical College
Waco, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Houston
Houston, TX
1.2k program completions/year
Tulsa Welding School-Jacksonville
Jacksonville, FL
984 program completions/year
South Florida Institute of Technology
Miami, FL
891 program completions/year
SOWELA Technical Community College
Lake Charles, LA
870 program completions/year
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Lexington, KY
821 program completions/year
Refrigeration School Inc
Phoenix, AZ
781 program completions/year
Stark State College
North Canton, OH
731 program completions/year
River Parishes Community College
Gonzales, LA
695 program completions/year
Central Piedmont Community College
Charlotte, NC
679 program completions/year
Lee College
Baytown, TX
601 program completions/year
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