Occupation Details
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
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Interests
Realistic
Realistic occupations frequently involve work activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions. They often deal with plants, animals, and real-world materials like wood, tools, and machinery. Many of the occupations require working outside, and do not involve a lot of paperwork or working closely with others.
Investigative
Investigative occupations frequently involve working with ideas, and require an extensive amount of thinking. These occupations can involve searching for facts and figuring out problems mentally.
Conventional
Conventional occupations frequently involve following set procedures and routines. These occupations can include working with data and details more than with ideas. Usually there is a clear line of authority to follow.
Work Values
Working Conditions
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer job security and good working conditions. Corresponding needs are Activity, Compensation, Independence, Security, Variety and Working Conditions.
Relationships
Occupations that satisfy this work value allow employees to provide service to others and work with co-workers in a friendly non-competitive environment. Corresponding needs are Co-workers, Moral Values and Social Service.
Support
Occupations that satisfy this work value offer supportive management that stands behind employees. Corresponding needs are Company Policies, Supervision: Human Relations and Supervision: Technical.
Salary & Job Outlook
Starting Salary
$37,870.00
New York StateMedian Salary
$50,320.00
New York StateExperienced Salary
$64,600.00
New York StateNational Average for Comparison
New York State Job Market Outlook
Jobs Right Now (2018)
10,750
professionals in NYFuture Job Growth (2030)
13,210
+246 jobs/yearNew Jobs Every Year
1,506
new opportunities yearlyGrowth Rate
0.2%
projected increasePreparation: Experience, Training, and Education
The list below outlines the prior educational experience required to perform in this occupation.
Some Training - Certificate or hands-on training
Experience Requirements
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is usually needed. For example, a teller would benefit from experience working directly with the public.
Education Requirements
These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
Training Details
Employees in these occupations need anywhere from a few months to one year of working with experienced employees. A recognized apprenticeship program may be associated with these occupations.
Transferrable Skills and Experience
These occupations often involve using your knowledge and skills to help others. Examples include orderlies, counter and rental clerks, customer service representatives, security guards, upholsterers, tellers, and dental laboratory technicians.
School Programs
The following lists school programs which are applicable to this occupation.
Licensing & Certification
New York State requires workers in this occupation to hold a license or certification.
Welder
Learn MoreApprenticeship
Contact your regional representative to learn more about apprenticeships available in your area by visiting Apprenticeship Contacts.
Skills
The list below includes the skills required by workers in this occupation; skills are what allow you to learn more quickly and improve your performance.
Quality Control Analysis
Conducting tests and inspections of products, services, or processes to evaluate quality or performance.
Monitoring
Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.
Critical Thinking
Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.
Judgment and Decision Making
Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.
Operations Monitoring
Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.
Operation and Control
Controlling operations of equipment or systems.
Skill level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Knowledge
The list below includes knowledge items, the principles and facts required by this occupation.
Production and Processing
Knowledge of raw materials, production processes, quality control, costs, and other techniques for maximizing the effective manufacture and distribution of goods.
Mechanical
Knowledge of machines and tools, including their designs, uses, repair, and maintenance.
Mathematics
Knowledge of arithmetic, algebra, geometry, calculus, statistics, and their applications.
English Language
Knowledge of the structure and content of the English language including the meaning and spelling of words, rules of composition, and grammar.
Design
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of precision technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Engineering and Technology
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology. This includes applying principles, techniques, procedures, and equipment to the design and production of various goods and services.
Education and Training
Knowledge of principles and methods for curriculum and training design, teaching and instruction for individuals and groups, and the measurement of training effects.
Knowledge level is measured on a seven point scale, where one means 'some competence required for this occupation' and seven means 'a high level of expertise required for this occupation'.
Work Environment
The list below includes the physical and social factors that influence the nature of work in this occupation.
Hover over or tap each factor to see its description.
Work Styles
Included in the list below are the personal work style characteristics that can affect how well a worker is likely to perform in this occupation.
Achievement/Effort
Job requires establishing and maintaining personally challenging achievement goals and exerting effort toward mastering tasks.
Attention to Detail
Job requires being careful about detail and thorough in completing work tasks.
Cooperation
Job requires being pleasant with others on the job and displaying a good-natured, cooperative attitude.
Dependability
Job requires being reliable, responsible, and dependable, and fulfilling obligations.
Independence
Job requires developing one's own ways of doing things, guiding oneself with little or no supervision, and depending on oneself to get things done.
Initiative
Job requires a willingness to take on responsibilities and challenges.
Integrity
Job requires being honest and ethical.
Leadership
Job requires a willingness to lead, take charge, and offer opinions and direction.
Persistence
Job requires persistence in the face of obstacles.
Self-Control
Job requires maintaining composure, keeping emotions in check, controlling anger, and avoiding aggressive behavior, even in very difficult situations.
Tools & Technology
This list below describes the machines, equipment, tools, software, and information technology that workers in this occupation will use.
Tools
- Adjustable widemouth pliers
- Adjustable wrenches
- Air chisels
- Air drills
- Air scalers
- Angle finders
- Anvils
- Arc voltage measurement instruments
- Bandsaws
- Brakes
- Brazing equipment
- Buffers
- Calipers
- Comealongs
- Computerized numerical control CNC programmable welding robot controllers
- Current converters
- Cutoff saws
- Deburring tools
- Desktop computers
- Direct current DC sources
- Dive suits
- Drill presses
- Electric overhead hoists
- Electric pipe threaders
- Electrode wires
- Fillet weld gauges
- Forklifts
- Gas flow measurement instruments
- Goggles
- Grinding machines
Technology
- EZ Pipe
- Enterprise resource planning ERP software
- Fred's Tip Cartridge Picker
- IBM Notes
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft Windows
- OmniFleet Equipment Maintenance Management
- Recordkeeping software
Duties
Duties are job behaviors describing activities that occur on multiple jobs. The generalized and detailed work activities described in the list below apply to this occupation.
- monitor worker performance
- maintain records, reports, or files
- requisition stock, materials, supplies or equipment
- attach or mark identification onto products or containers
- lay out machining, welding or precision assembly projects
- construct patterns or templates for welding projects
- explain work orders, specifications, or work techniques to workers
- maintain welding machines or equipment
- adjust welding equipment
- adjust welding equipment
- setup welding equipment
- compute production, construction, or installation specifications
- measure, weigh, or count products or materials
- analyze technical data, designs, or preliminary specifications
- analyze test data
- use combination welding procedures
- use spot or tack welding techniques
- use knowledge of welding filler rod types
- plan or organize work
- estimate materials or labor requirements
- determine equipment requirements
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- perform safety inspections in industrial, manufacturing or repair setting
- use precision measuring tools or equipment
- operate metal or plastic fabricating equipment/machinery
- perform detailed welding techniques
- use fire suppression equipment
- use hand or power tools
- use hand or power tools
- use non-destructive test equipment
- fabricate beams
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- use acetylene welding/cutting torch
- weld together metal parts, components, or structures
- use gas welding equipment
- burn (cut), trim, or scarf metal objects
- use thermal-cutting equipment
- use braze-welding equipment
- use braze-welding equipment
- solder metal parts or components together
- solder metal parts or components together
- braze metal parts or components together
- braze metal parts or components together
- use soldering equipment
- use soldering equipment
- use arc welding equipment
- operate hoist, winch, or hydraulic boom
- signal directions or warnings to coworkers
- apply cleaning solvents
- apply cleaning solvents
- climb ladders, scaffolding, or utility or telephone poles
- erect scaffold
- move or fit heavy objects
- move or fit heavy objects
- perform welding techniques over lengthy time span
- weld in flat, horizontal, vertical, or overhead position
- maintain safe work environment
- monitor the quantity of assembly output
- monitor the quantity of assembly output
- monitor production machinery/equipment operation to detect problems
- file, sand, grind, or polish metal or plastic objects
- file, sand, grind, or polish metal or plastic objects
- apply protective coating to products
- mix paint, ingredients, or chemicals, according to specifications
- sharpen metal objects
- sharpen metal objects
- preheat metal before welding, brazing, or soldering
- preheat metal before welding, brazing, or soldering
- clean or degrease weld, or parts to be welded or soldered
- clean or degrease weld, or parts to be welded or soldered
- position, clamp or assemble workpiece prior to welding
- position, clamp or assemble workpiece prior to welding
- apply flux to workpiece before soldering or brazing
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- fabricate, assemble, or disassemble manufactured products by hand
- load or unload material or workpiece into machinery
- identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities
- identify properties of metals for repair or fabrication activities
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- understand technical operating, service or repair manuals
- recognize characteristics of metals
- identify base metals for welding
- recognize characteristics of alloys
- recognize welding symbols
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- examine products or work to verify conformance to specifications
- read blueprints
- read blueprints
- read specifications
- read production layouts
- read production layouts
- read technical drawings
- read technical drawings
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
- read work order, instructions, formulas, or processing charts
Tasks
The list below outlines specific tasks that a worker in this occupation is called upon to do regularly.
- Analyze engineering drawings, blueprints, specifications, sketches, work orders, and material safety data sheets to plan layout, assembly, and operations.
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
- Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Check grooves, angles, or gap allowances, using micrometers, calipers, and precision measuring instruments.
- Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.
- Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
- Mark or tag material with proper job number, piece marks, and other identifying marks as required.
- Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
- Prepare all material surfaces to be welded, ensuring that there is no loose or thick scale, slag, rust, moisture, grease, or other foreign matter.
- Align and clamp workpieces together, using rules, squares, or hand tools, or position items in fixtures, jigs, or vises.
- Melt and apply solder to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products, using soldering equipment.
- Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.
- Position and secure workpieces, using hoists, cranes, wire, and banding machines or hand tools.
- Melt and apply solder along adjoining edges of workpieces to solder joints, using soldering irons, gas torches, or electric-ultrasonic equipment.
- Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
- Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits.
- Grind, cut, buff, or bend edges of workpieces to be joined to ensure snug fit, using power grinders and hand tools.
- Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.
- Chip or grind off excess weld, slag, or spatter, using hand scrapers or power chippers, portable grinders, or arc-cutting equipment.
- Guide and direct flames or electrodes on or across workpieces to straighten, bend, melt, or build up metal.
- Use fire suppression methods in industrial emergencies.
- Develop templates and models for welding projects, using mathematical calculations based on blueprint information.
- Repair products by dismantling, straightening, reshaping, and reassembling parts, using cutting torches, straightening presses, and hand tools.
- Preheat workpieces prior to welding or bending, using torches or heating furnaces.
- Clean or degrease parts, using wire brushes, portable grinders, or chemical baths.
- Set up and use ladders and scaffolding as necessary to complete work.
- Hammer out bulges or bends in metal workpieces.
- Operate metal shaping, straightening, and bending machines, such as brakes and shears.
Learning Resources
More information on this occupation may be found in the links provided below.
Summer at RPI: VEX Robotics Engineering Academy
Participants will work in teams to create a VEX robot that will be able to complete a challenge course. During this experience, students will learn to manipulate robots with both remote control and computer programming. Robots will be constructed by assembling a combination of mechanical components, basic electronics and sensors.
Learn MoreWelders and Metal Workers
Visit this link for information on this career in the military.
Learn MoreWelding, soldering, and brazing workers
Visit this link for additional information on this career from the Occupational Outlook Handbook; a publication produced and maintained by the United States Department of Labor.
Learn More