Will “Welding Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

61% Chance of Automation

“Welding Operator” will maybe be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #342 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job 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.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-4122.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 38,380.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 18.00
Currently, there are 46,920 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Welding Operator”

Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary.
Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
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.
Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
Record operational information on specified production reports.
Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.

Related Technology & Tools

Vernier micrometers
Walk-behind lift trucks
Safety gloves
C clamps
Claw hammers
Heating furnaces
Safety goggles
Resistance welding guns
Dial calipers
Undercut gauges
Brazing robots
Ball peen hammers
Welding tip cleaning files
Center punches
Slip joint pliers
Side cutting pliers
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Welding tip dressers
Wire brushes
Arc welding equipment
Hydraulic booms
Tongs
Welding helmets
Desktop computers
Welding torch tips
Hand clamps
Gas welding torches
Diffusion-welding machines
Workpiece positioning jigs
Welding robots
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Single-cut mill saw files
Vise grip pliers
Resistance welding machines
Computerized numerical control CNC oxy-fuel systems
Micrometers
Laser cutters
Brazing machines
Face masks
Chipping hammers
Laser-beam machines
Power hoists
Product loading equipment
Portable welding machines
Layout squares
Soldering robots
Power grinders
Spot welding guns
Measuring tapes
Cold-welding machines
Soldering machines
Welding electrodes
Hydraulic winches
Fillet weld gauges
Outside micrometer calipers
Magnifiers
Hand scrapers
Bench vises
Rulers

Tool center point TCP setting software
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Excel
Spreadsheet software
Data entry software
Email software
Word processing software
Microsoft Word