Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
SOC: 51-4122.00 · Job Zone 2 (Some preparation)
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.
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$47,060
per year
Mean Wage
$49,270
per year
Employment
36K
workers
Wage Range
$35,780 - $66,190
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Task Breakdown
29 tasks analyzed
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary.
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
Record operational information on specified production reports.
Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
| Task | Category | AI Capability | Risk Score | Time % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices. | - | - | - | |
| Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications. | - | - | - | |
| Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components. | - | - | - | |
| Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications. | - | - | - | |
| Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components. | - | - | - | |
| Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies. | - | - | - | |
| Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary. | - | - | - | |
| Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines. | - | - | - | |
| Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics. | - | - | - | |
| Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices. | - | - | - | |
| Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off. | - | - | - | |
| Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use. | - | - | - | |
| Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools. | - | - | - | |
| Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes. | - | - | - | |
| Record operational information on specified production reports. | - | - | - | |
| Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment. | - | - | - | |
| Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools. | - | - | - | |
| Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills. | - | - | - | |
| Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment. | - | - | - | |
| Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools. | - | - | - | |
| Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records. | - | - | - | |
| Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes. | - | - | - | |
| Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces. | - | - | - | |
| Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines. | - | - | - | |
| Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering. | - | - | - | |
| Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces. | - | - | - | |
| Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components. | - | - | - | |
| Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels. | - | - | - | |
| Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress. | - | - | - |
Related Jobs
Chief Executives
11-1011.00
General and Operations Managers
11-1021.00
Advertising and Promotions Managers
11-2011.00
Marketing Managers
11-2021.00
Sales Managers
11-2022.00
Computer and Information Systems Managers
11-3021.00
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Risk scoring has not been run for this occupation yet. Scores will appear after the scoring pipeline runs.