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
852 mapped
Core skills
Operations MonitoringOperation and ControlReading ComprehensionActive ListeningSpeakingCritical ThinkingMonitoringComplex Problem Solving
Knowledge areas
Production and ProcessingAdministration and ManagementDesign
Technology & tools
Electronic mail softwareEnterprise resource planning ERP softwareOperating system softwareSpreadsheet softwareOffice suite software
Representative tasks
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.Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.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.Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
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
147 alternate job titles map to this occupation.
Machine WelderWelding-Machine Operator, ThermitAircraft Metals Technology (Air Force 2A7X1)Brazing-Machine OperatorSoldererControlled Atmospheric Furnace BrazerWelding Pantograph OperatorWeapons and Tactics Crew Chief Instructor (Marine Corps 6177)Racking Machine OperatorFurnace BrazerMetal Worker (Marine Corps 1316)Helicopter Airframe Mechanic, CH-53 (Marine Corps 6153)Fabrication SpecialistMill OperatorRobotic Welding OperatorSolder Deposit OperatorEnlisted Aircrew/Aerial Observer/Gunner (Marine Corps 6199)Welding Pantograph Machine OperatorWelding OperatorMaterial Maintenance Specialty (Coast Guard MAT)Industrial WelderMachinery Repairman Apprentice (Navy 003156)Brazing Machine Setup OperatorHelicopter/Tiltrotor Dynamic Components Mechanic (Marine Corps 6132)Fixed-Wing Aircraft Loadmaster, C-40A (Marine Corps 6140)VH-92 Presidential Helicopter Crew Chief (Marine Corps 6181)Type Soldering Machine TenderWeld Technician (Weld Tech)Aircraft Welder (Marine Corps 6043)Welder, ExplosionWeld OperatorArc Welding Machine OperatorInduction Heating Equipment SetterWave-Soldering Machine OperatorAircraft Structural Repairer (Army 15G)Steelworker (BL-0) (Navy B001)Ultrasonic Welding Machine OperatorMachinist (Marine Corps 2161)Damage Controlman (Coast Guard DC)Welding-Machine Operator, Resistance