Occupation · SOC 51-4122
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.
Median wage
$47,060
$35,780–$66,190
Projected growth
-9.0%
Declining
Annual openings
-350
per year
Employed (US)
36,290
Job Zone 2
Typical preparation
Some preparation
Stackable credential programs
850 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlSpeakingReading ComprehensionMonitoringCritical ThinkingComplex Problem SolvingActive ListeningJudgment and Decision MakingTime ManagementCoordinationActive LearningSocial PerceptivenessEquipment MaintenanceWritingTroubleshootingRepairingQuality Control AnalysisSystems EvaluationSystems AnalysisMathematicsManagement of Personnel ResourcesInstructingEquipment SelectionService OrientationPersuasionNegotiationManagement of Material ResourcesLearning StrategiesOperations AnalysisScienceTechnology DesignManagement of Financial ResourcesProgrammingInstallation
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementDesignPublic Safety and SecurityEnglish LanguageMechanicalEngineering and TechnologyCustomer and Personal ServiceMathematicsEducation and TrainingAdministrativePersonnel and Human ResourcesComputers and ElectronicsBuilding and ConstructionPhysicsSales and MarketingChemistryTransportationLaw and GovernmentEconomics and AccountingCommunications and MediaForeign LanguageTelecommunicationsMedicine and DentistryFood ProductionHistory and ArcheologyGeographyBiologyTherapy and CounselingPsychologyPhilosophy and TheologySociology and AnthropologyFine Arts
Technology & tools
Email softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareLinuxMicrosoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft PowerPointMicrosoft WindowsMicrosoft WordMicrosoft operating systemSAP softwareSpreadsheet softwareTool center point TCP setting softwareWord processing software
Representative tasks
Controlling Machines and ProcessesGetting InformationInspecting Equipment, Structures, or MaterialsIdentifying Objects, Actions, and EventsMonitoring Processes, Materials, or SurroundingsHandling and Moving ObjectsOperating Vehicles, Mechanized Devices, or EquipmentCommunicating with Supervisors, Peers, or SubordinatesMaking Decisions and Solving ProblemsThinking CreativelyRepairing and Maintaining Mechanical EquipmentUpdating and Using Relevant KnowledgeEvaluating Information to Determine Compliance with StandardsJudging the Qualities of Objects, Services, or PeoplePerforming General Physical ActivitiesProcessing InformationTraining and Teaching OthersDeveloping Objectives and StrategiesAnalyzing Data or InformationRepairing and Maintaining Electronic EquipmentEstimating the Quantifiable Characteristics of Products, Events, or InformationDrafting, Laying Out, and Specifying Technical Devices, Parts, and EquipmentDocumenting/Recording InformationProviding Consultation and Advice to OthersDeveloping and Building TeamsCoaching and Developing OthersInterpreting the Meaning of Information for OthersOrganizing, Planning, and Prioritizing WorkAssisting and Caring for OthersGuiding, Directing, and Motivating SubordinatesWorking with ComputersMonitoring and Controlling ResourcesScheduling Work and ActivitiesResolving Conflicts and Negotiating with OthersEstablishing and Maintaining Interpersonal RelationshipsCoordinating the Work and Activities of OthersPerforming Administrative ActivitiesCommunicating with People Outside the OrganizationStaffing Organizational UnitsSelling or Influencing Others
Competency framework
Skill expectations by proficiency level.
emerging
Work orders and production schedules — read and interpret under direct supervision to identify basic job specifications on the shop floor.Welding machine controls and settings — identify and distinguish under guidance before operating equipment on a fabrication line.Metal workpieces and completed assemblies — visually inspect for obvious surface defects under the direction of a lead operator.Hand-operated grinders and cutters — use to prepare metal surfaces according to step-by-step instructions in a production setting.Torch tips, alloys, and flux materials — select from labeled inventory following a data chart provided by a supervisor.Parts and components to be bonded — lay out and fit according to templates or diagrams under close oversight on the production floor.Basic measuring devices such as calipers and gauges — apply to check workpiece dimensions against stated specifications with supervisor verification.Operational information and machine run data — record on standardized production report forms under supervisor direction.Machine holding devices and clamps — open and close safely following lockout/tagout procedures as instructed by a lead technician.Active listening skills — demonstrate by following verbal instructions from lead operators and asking clarifying questions during shift briefings.
developing
Blueprints and work orders — read and translate into machine setup parameters with minimal oversight on a mid-volume fabrication line.Welding machines for joining metal assemblies — set up, operate, and tend routinely across common metal types in a production environment.Measuring and testing devices — apply independently to inspect completed workpieces and confirm dimensional conformance to specifications.Machine controls and operating parameters — adjust to correct process deviations when weld quality or output falls outside acceptable limits.Torch tips, wire gauges, and flux selections — choose according to metal thickness and job records without requiring supervisor approval for standard applications.Production report forms and shift logs — complete accurately and consistently, capturing key operational data for supervisory review.Metal surfaces — prepare using grinders, drills, and cutters with consistent technique to meet surface quality requirements before bonding.Component fit-up and part alignment — execute with production measurements calculated independently for familiar assembly configurations.Minor machine stoppages and holding-device errors — identify root cause and resolve by adjusting controls or resetting the machine during routine production shifts.Industrial control software interfaces — navigate to monitor machine status and input setup parameters within established production workflows.
proficient
Complex blueprints and multi-step production schedules — interpret autonomously and convert into precise machine configurations across a full range of metal products.Welding, soldering, and brazing machines — set up and operate across the full scope of available equipment types, handling non-standard alloys and irregular workpiece geometries.Measurement and testing protocols — apply systematically to verify weld integrity, dimensional accuracy, and surface quality against tight engineering tolerances.Process deviations and recurring quality defects — diagnose through critical analysis of machine settings, material properties, and environmental factors, then implement corrective actions.Material and consumable selection — determine optimal torch tips, alloys, coil, tubing, and wire for uncommon or challenging metal combinations using technical records and deductive reasoning.Part layout, fit, and connection sequences — plan and execute independently for complex assemblies, including calculating custom production measurements without reference templates.Surface preparation procedures — perform and verify across varied metal conditions, selecting the appropriate hand-operated tool and technique for each workpiece type.ERP and spreadsheet software — use to track production output, material consumption, and machine performance data, supporting accurate reporting across shifts.Problem sensitivity on the production line — detect subtle early indicators of equipment wear, weld discontinuities, or material inconsistencies before they result in nonconforming output.Operational knowledge — share with newer operators through on-the-spot coaching and demonstration during live production runs.
advanced
Machine setup standards and operational procedures — develop and formalize for the welding and brazing department to ensure consistent quality and safety across all shifts.Production schedules and workflow priorities — coordinate at a departmental level, balancing machine capacity, material availability, and customer deadlines.Quality inspection criteria and measurement protocols — establish and update to reflect engineering specification changes, communicating requirements clearly to all operators.Recurring process failures and systemic quality issues — lead root-cause investigations using complex problem-solving methods, implementing lasting corrective and preventive solutions.Operator skill development programs — design and deliver, using real production scenarios to build competency in machine operation, blueprint reading, and quality inspection.Material selection standards and consumable specifications — author for the facility, incorporating data chart updates and new alloy introductions into documented work instructions.ERP and industrial control software configurations — oversee and guide, ensuring machine data, production reports, and inventory records align across systems.Safety and cautiousness culture — champion across the production team by modeling lockout/tagout compliance, hazard identification, and incident-reporting best practices.Cross-functional communication — lead between production, engineering, and management teams to translate technical welding requirements into actionable production plans.Departmental performance metrics including throughput, scrap rate, and machine utilization — monitor, interpret, and present to plant leadership to drive continuous improvement decisions.
Also known as
72 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Aluminum WelderArc and Gas WelderArc Welding Machine OperatorBillet AssemblerBraze OperatorBrazing Machine OperatorBrazing Machine SetterBrazing Machine Setter OperatorBrazing Machine Setup OperatorBrazing Machine TenderBuilderCertified WelderControlled Atmospheric Furnace BrazerElectron Beam Machine Welder SetterElectron Beam Welder SetterElectron Beam Welding Machine OperatorElectroslag Welding Machine OperatorExplosion WelderFabrication SpecialistFabricatorField OperatorField Technician (Field Tech)Finishing Technician (Finishing Tech)Friction Welding Machine OperatorFurnace BrazerGas Welding Machine OperatorInduction BrazerInduction Heating Equipment SetterIndustrial WelderLaser Beam Machine OperatorLaser OperatorMachine BurnerMachine OperatorMachine WelderManufacturing AssociateManufacturing OperatorMig WelderMill OperatorOxygraph OperatorRacking Machine Operator