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Welding and Brazing Machine Operators Job Overview

Welding and brazing machine operators work on machines to join the components of fabricated metal products. This bonding is done in accordance with specific blueprints, work orders and data charts. They also clean and lubricate their machines. Welding and brazing machine operators set up the machines, adjust attachments, set the controls and also compute the settings to be programmed into the machines. They are responsible for ensuring the smooth operation of the machines. When necessary, they correct problems, adjust controls or stop the machine. Once a product is finished, they inspect and test it to make sure that it is made according to the requirements.

Welding and Brazing Machine Operators Schools and Degrees

Welding and brazing machine operators can receive formal training from high schools or postsecondary institutions. A large number of community colleges, vocational-technical institutes and private welding schools offer courses for candidates interested in this profession. Welding schools are operated by the U.S. Armed Forces too. In addition, the American Welding Society offers a certification courses through several welding schools. It is also beneficial to have a basic understanding of computers and electricity.

Job Requirements

Employers prefer welding and brazing machine operators with some sort of experience or formal training. Since understanding the welding process is particularly important, many organizations tend to favor workers with a background in welding. A majority of welding and brazing machine operators learn their skills on the job from experienced workers. Employers also send their newer employees to training programs where they can learn additional skills.

General welding certifications, or certifications in special skills like robotic welding or inspection, may be required for certain specific jobs. Besides, manual dexterity, good eyesight and hand-eye coordination are vital in this profession. With additional training and experience, welding and brazing machine operators can advance to the positions of supervisors, inspectors or instructors.

Nature of Work

Welding and brazing machine workers are exposed to several physical hazards in the course of their job. It is therefore extremely important for them to take precautions in the form of safety shoes, goggles, hoods with protective lenses and other devices that are designed to prevent eye injuries and burns. Welding and brazing machine workers usually work in well-ventilated places. They may occasionally have to work outdoors in rough weather, or in small cramped places. The standard workweek lasts 40 hours, but overtime is common in this profession. Also, welding and brazing machine operators may have to work in 12-hour shifts.

Welding and Brazing Machine Operators Jobs and Outlook

According to research in 2006, welding and brazing machine operators held about 53,000 jobs in the US. The job market is expected to grow by 3% during the next ten years. Employment is highest in the following industries:

• Agriculture, Construction, and Mining Machinery Manufacturing
• Architectural and Structural Metals Manufacturing
• Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing
• Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing /li>
• Other General Purpose Machinery Manufacturing

The mean hourly wage for welding and brazing machine operators in the US is about $15.96, while the mean annual wages are around $33,200.

Job Numbers and Growth

About 53,000 welding and brazing machine operators are employed nationally. Workers can expect a high level of unemployment, if history can be used as a guide. In 2008, 7% of employees could not find jobs.

Area Job Conditions

Popular locations for welding and brazing machine operators include Oshkosh (Wisconsin), Monroe (Michigan), and Springfield (Ohio). Fewer are found in Washington (District of Columbia), Las Vegas (Nevada), and Austin (Texas).

Workers looking for high salaries should look at Monroe (Michigan), Albany (New York), and Virginia Beach (Virginia), and should avoid Gadsden (Alabama), Houma (Louisiana), and Johnson City (Tennessee).

Training and Education

Employees often obtain a postsecondary vocational award before starting. The percentage of welding and brazing machine operators with college degrees is 2%. Workers with some college (less than a bachelor's degree) represent about 25% of the total. Some employees, about 73%, had a high-school education. Recommended schools are shown in the column to the right; request information from them to help you decide which if any could help you with this career.

Part-Time Work and Self-Employment

Part-time welding and brazing machine operators are 2% of all surveyed. Some workers, about 7%, work for themselves.

Welding And Brazing Machine Operators by Metropolitan Area (city and its surroundings)

In the table below, a Job Density near 0% means the area has an average number of people in this occupation, for its population. A higher or lower Job Density (e.g., +22% or -45%) tells you there are that many more or fewer workers of that type there than in the average US metro area. So, the higher the number, the more common the occupation.

Alabama

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Anniston	$38,000	70	+913%
Birmingham	$37,000	110	+29%
Huntsville	$33,000	100	+185%
Mobile	$34,000	40	+35%
Montgomery	$30,000	140	+413%

Arizona

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Phoenix	$40,000	190	-38%

Arkansas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Little Rock	$31,000	80	+34%

California

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Los Angeles	$32,000	470	-34%
Oakland	$32,000	230	+32%
Oxnard	$34,000	40	-21%
Sacramento	$32,000	90	-41%
San Diego	$35,000	190	-17%
San Jose	$42,000	120	-23%
Santa Ana	$33,000	270	+6%
Stockton	$32,000	60	+69%

Colorado

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Denver	$32,000	110	-50%

Connecticut

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Hartford	$37,000	270	+170%
New Haven	$39,000	70	+50%
Norwich	$43,000	50	+148%

District of Columbia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Washington	$40,000	70	-84%

Florida

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Miami	$36,000	70	-59%
Tampa	$33,000	90	-55%

Georgia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Atlanta	$33,000	400	-1%
Augusta	$26,000	90	+159%
Savannah	$36,000	110	+343%

Illinois

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chicago	$38,000	1,040	+58%
Peoria	$40,000	30	+5%
Rockford	$37,000	60	+157%

Indiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Elkhart	$27,000	360	+1944%
Fort Wayne	$32,000	90	+161%
Gary	$30,000	90	+96%
Indianapolis	$31,000	680	+335%
South Bend	$25,000	110	+416%

Iowa

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Cedar Rapids	$34,000	30	+30%
Des Moines	$34,000	110	+94%
Dubuque	$33,000	280	+3315%

Kansas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Wichita	$37,000	110	+123%

Kentucky

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bowling Green	$40,000	40	+366%
Lexington	$37,000	60	+47%
Louisville	$30,000	210	+99%

Louisiana

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baton Rouge	$33,000	170	+165%
Houma	$29,000	110	+617%
Shreveport		50	+66%

Maryland

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Baltimore	$48,000	120	-48%

Massachusetts

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Boston	$35,000	140	-54%
Haverhill	$39,000	70	+433%
Lowell	$36,000	60	+204%
Springfield	$40,000	120	+135%
Worcester	$34,000	80	+87%

Michigan

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Grand Rapids	$35,000	560	+759%
Lansing	$37,000	110	+228%
Monroe	$54,000	210	+3796%
Warren	$42,000	370	+96%

Minnesota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Minneapolis	$40,000	370	+18%
St Cloud	$37,000	110	+610%

Missouri

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Joplin	$30,000	60	+377%
Kansas City	$33,000	80	-55%
Springfield	$36,000	40	+24%
St Louis	$46,000	250	+7%

Nebraska

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Omaha	$35,000	40	-51%

New Hampshire

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Nashua	$33,000	130	+472%

New Jersey

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Edison	$38,000	110	-39%
Newark	$30,000	90	-49%

New York

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Nassau	$35,000	60	-73%
New York	$33,000	250	-73%
Rochester	$32,000	90	+2%
Syracuse	$37,000	30	-44%

North Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Asheville	$31,000	50	+68%
Charlotte	$32,000	390	+161%
Fayetteville	$32,000	40	+92%
Greensboro	$33,000	50	-19%
Raleigh	$36,000	40	-55%

North Dakota

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Bismarck	$45,000	110	+975%

Ohio

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Akron	$35,000	160	+189%
Canton	$30,000	200	+616%
Cincinnati	$33,000	1,010	+469%
Cleveland	$38,000	560	+213%
Columbus	$31,000	290	+80%
Springfield	$53,000	70	+860%
Toledo	$31,000	200	+296%
Youngstown	$34,000	80	+108%

Oklahoma

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Oklahoma City	$31,000	180	+79%
Tulsa	$38,000	170	+128%

Oregon

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Eugene	$37,000	50	+114%
Portland	$37,000	180	+1%

Pennsylvania

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Allentown	$41,000	70	+17%
Erie	$27,000	90	+324%
Philadelphia	$37,000	230	-31%
Pittsburgh	$35,000	200	0%
Reading	$41,000	30	+7%

Rhode Island

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Providence	$33,000	160	+65%

South Carolina

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Anderson	$29,000	40	+359%
Charleston	$34,000	60	+22%
Columbia	$33,000	80	+32%

Tennessee

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Chattanooga	$34,000	60	+55%
Kingsport	$32,000	170	+750%
Knoxville	$28,000	60	+4%
Memphis	$34,000	70	-35%
Nashville	$30,000	130	+1%

Texas

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Austin	$30,000	170	+24%
Dallas	$27,000	350	-5%
Fort Worth	$27,000	100	-34%
Houston	$36,000	800	+73%
Longview	$35,000	30	+94%

Utah

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Logan		60	+735%
Salt Lake City	$31,000	60	-43%

Virginia

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Blacksburg	$46,000	100	+955%
Lynchburg	$42,000	70	+336%
Richmond	$34,000	140	+31%
Virginia Beach	$40,000	600	+353%

Washington

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Seattle	$36,000	300	+22%
Spokane	$37,000	90	+159%
Tacoma	$49,000	40	-12%

Wisconsin

City and Area	Median Salary	Employees	Job Density
Madison	$35,000	70	+20%
Milwaukee	$41,000	420	+189%
Oshkosh	$34,000	70	+396%
Racine	$44,000	30	+154%