Manufacturing51-4122.00Specialization

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

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.

$45,350
Median Pay
6 months to 2 years
Training
🟠
In Transition

This is a specialization of

Production Professionals

Career Overview Video

AI Impact Assessment

AI Resilience Score

Score 2/6: low AI task exposure, declining job demand, limited human advantage indicates this career is being transformed by AI

🟠In Transition

How we calculated this:

AI Exposure
Low+2

7% of tasks can be accelerated by AI

Job Growth
Declining+0

-9% projected (2024-2034)

Human Advantage
Weak+0

EPOCH score: 9/25

Total Score2/6
Methodology: v2.0 - GPTs are GPTs / BLS / EPOCH Additive ScoringUpdated: 2026-01-09

Key Responsibilities

  • 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.

Education & Training

Typical Entry Education

Post-secondary certificate

Time to Job Ready

0-1 years

Based on Job Zone 2. For formal education duration only, see education_duration.

Technology Skills

Microsoft ExcelERP systems (SAP)Robotic welding control softwareProduction tracking

Key Abilities

Near VisionControl PrecisionVisualizationArm-Hand SteadinessManual DexterityProblem SensitivityInformation OrderingSelective AttentionMultilimb CoordinationOral Expression

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Compensation Details

$35,270
10th Percentile
$45,350
Median
$63,260
90th Percentile

Based on 33,020 employed workers

Also Known As

Aluminum WelderArc and Gas WelderArc Welding Machine OperatorBillet AssemblerBraze OperatorBrazing Machine OperatorBrazing Machine SetterBrazing Machine Setter OperatorBrazing Machine Setup OperatorBrazing Machine Tender

Data from O*NET 30.1 and BLS Occupational Employment Statistics

O*NET Code: 51-4122.00