What it pays
Government survey numbers — not estimates, not ads.
Half of all Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the U.S. earn more than $53,750 a year — the middle 80% land between $39,240 and $77,530. About 416,210 people in the U.S. do this work. Figures are for the U.S. occupation group “Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers”. (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics survey, published 2025.) In India, Plant and machine operators and assemblers earn about ₹17,329 a month on average — around ₹2.1 lakh a year (government PLFS survey via ILOSTAT, occupation-family figure).
$53,750typical pay / year
416,210people in this work
$77,530+top 10% earn
₹2.1 lakha year in India (family avg)
Think you get this job?Six quick questions on how it really works — with a hint and the reason behind every answer.
Test yourself →The work, task by task
These are the real jobs-to-be-done, not a wish list. Each task shows where we found it, and the prompt underneath is written for that exact task.
Fixing2
Maintain equipment and machinery
+Service the MIG and TIG units, change worn nozzles and liners, check bearings and belts on the brake press,…
Maintain equipment and machinery
+Service the MIG and TIG units, change worn nozzles and liners, check bearings and belts on the brake press, top up coolant, log parts replaced, and run the post-maintenance weld test on the fixture before the morning shift starts Monday.
The tools that do the workOmniFleet Equipment Maintenance ManagementESCOjob descriptionsO*NET
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Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces.
+Hammer down the crown on the quarter panel to match the flat pattern, anneal the area if needed, recheck…
Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces.
+Hammer down the crown on the quarter panel to match the flat pattern, anneal the area if needed, recheck alignment with the template, then file and grind to smooth the surface for tack welding by Friday noon.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Analysing1
Inspect structures or materials to be welded
+Walk the support columns and pipe spools, measure weld gaps and surface pitting, photograph defects larger…
Inspect structures or materials to be welded
+Walk the support columns and pipe spools, measure weld gaps and surface pitting, photograph defects larger than 0.5 mm, note required prep (grind, dress, replace), and hand the defect list to fabrication supervisor before quitting today.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Make2
Weld materials according to blueprint specifications
+Lay out the joint to blueprint tolerances, preheat to specified temperature, set correct amperage and travel…
Weld materials according to blueprint specifications
+Lay out the joint to blueprint tolerances, preheat to specified temperature, set correct amperage and travel speed for the electrode, complete the weld sequence to specification, and mark the weld map for QA review at shift end.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingjob descriptionsO*NET
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Melt and form a metal filler in between the joints
+Heat the groove to the weld range, feed the selected filler rod matched to the base metal, form an even bead…
Melt and form a metal filler in between the joints
+Heat the groove to the weld range, feed the selected filler rod matched to the base metal, form an even bead maintaining correct puddle temperature and penetration, then peen and cool according to the procedure before inspection.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingESCOjob descriptions
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Learning1
Read and interpret blueprints, sketches, and specifications
+Study the assembly drawing, verify dimensions and material callouts, confirm required root gap and backing,…
Read and interpret blueprints, sketches, and specifications
+Study the assembly drawing, verify dimensions and material callouts, confirm required root gap and backing, then mark up the shop copy with joint strategy and consumable list for the crew briefing at 0700 tomorrow.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingjob descriptionsO*NET
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The daily work13
Spot metal imperfections
+Inspect the batch of ten A36 brackets for surface cracks, porosity, slag inclusions and heat tint, mark…
Spot metal imperfections
+Inspect the batch of ten A36 brackets for surface cracks, porosity, slag inclusions and heat tint, mark defects with red chalk, measure suspect areas with the magnifier, remove any part with a through-thickness flaw and log rejects in the job sheet before welding.
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Prepare pieces for joining
+Prepare the four stainless tabs for TIG joining by deburring edges, beveling to 45 degrees where specified,…
Prepare pieces for joining
+Prepare the four stainless tabs for TIG joining by deburring edges, beveling to 45 degrees where specified, cleaning with acetone, tacking fit-ups to maintain 2 mm root gap, and stack them on the welding cart with the selected ER308 filler and temperature notes.
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Check grooves, angles, or gap allowances, using micrometers, calipers, and precision measuring instruments.
+Check the groove angles and gap allowances on the elbow assembly with micrometers and calipers, record any…
Check grooves, angles, or gap allowances, using micrometers, calipers, and precision measuring instruments.
+Check the groove angles and gap allowances on the elbow assembly with micrometers and calipers, record any out-of-tolerance readings, flag parts that exceed the weld spec, and note instrument IDs and measurement location on the inspection tag.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingO*NET
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Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
+Weld the two brackets in flat, vertical, then overhead positions per shop drawing 47B: tack in position, set…
Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
+Weld the two brackets in flat, vertical, then overhead positions per shop drawing 47B: tack in position, set travel speed and amperage for each orientation, inspect each weld visually and by fillet gauge, and remove any inadequate pieces.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingO*NET
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Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
+Mark each cut plate with the job number 9234, piece mark sequence A1–A8, heat number, and orientation arrows,…
Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
+Mark each cut plate with the job number 9234, piece mark sequence A1–A8, heat number, and orientation arrows, then attach a metal tag and log the marks and who marked them on the job sheet.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingO*NET
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Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies.
+Deploy the shop fire trailer procedures for a small welding flash fire: grab extinguisher type K and CO2…
Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies.
+Deploy the shop fire trailer procedures for a small welding flash fire: grab extinguisher type K and CO2 backup, cut power to the area, apply suppression to the source, account for crew safety, and write an incident note in the site log with actions taken.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingO*NET
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Calculate and measure dimensions of parts to be welded
+Measure and calculate the plate and rod dimensions for the assembly: take three calibrated measurements per…
Calculate and measure dimensions of parts to be welded
+Measure and calculate the plate and rod dimensions for the assembly: take three calibrated measurements per feature, compute required bevels and fit allowances, note any stock outside tolerance, and update the part build sheet with final dimensions.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingjob descriptions
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Monitor the welding process and adjust heat as necessary
+Monitor the weld seam on the batch of stainless fuel rails, adjust torch heat and wire feed to stop porosity…
Monitor the welding process and adjust heat as necessary
+Monitor the weld seam on the batch of stainless fuel rails, adjust torch heat and wire feed to stop porosity when I see dropouts, and log any changes and failed rails to the foreman by end of shift.
The tools that do the workOmniFleet Equipment Maintenance Managementjob descriptions
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Solder together two or more items, usually metals
+Solder the two braided copper leads to the brass terminal block on the generator mount, using the flux and…
Solder together two or more items, usually metals
+Solder the two braided copper leads to the brass terminal block on the generator mount, using the flux and 1.5 millimetre silver-bearing filler, then inspect the joints and hand the completed bracket to Quality before lunch.
The tools that do the workRecordkeepingESCO
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Apply soldering techniques
+Apply the specified soldering technique to the circuit ground lugs — preheat the lug, add flux, feed the…
Apply soldering techniques
+Apply the specified soldering technique to the circuit ground lugs — preheat the lug, add flux, feed the 60/40 filler, wet the pad fully and cool naturally — and mark the assembly accepted or rework on the batch sheet.
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Select filler metal
+Select the filler metal for the heat exchanger job by checking the material spec, pick the 316L-2 filler for…
Select filler metal
+Select the filler metal for the heat exchanger job by checking the material spec, pick the 316L-2 filler for corrosion resistance, confirm batch number, and record it on the materials log before starting.
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Remove inadequate workpieces
+Remove any inadequate workpieces from the rack: cut out cracked welds, grind the affected area back to sound…
Remove inadequate workpieces
+Remove any inadequate workpieces from the rack: cut out cracked welds, grind the affected area back to sound metal, tag the piece with reject reason and return it to scrap storage with a photo for the engineer.
The tools that do the workOmniFleet Equipment Maintenance ManagementRecordkeepingESCOsee the evidence ↗
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Value analysis
+Complete the value analysis for the new welding rod vendor by listing unit costs, failure rates from the last…
Value analysis
+Complete the value analysis for the new welding rod vendor by listing unit costs, failure rates from the last six months, expected lifespan, and recommendation so procurement can compare bids on Friday.
The tools that do the workValue AnalysisO*NET
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Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses
Built on public evidence: O*NET®, ESCO, Wikipedia, U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, ILOSTAT. All sources & licenses