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Alabama Department of Labor

Labor Market Information Division
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. Include workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
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Education: These occupations usually require a high school diploma.
OJT: 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.
Tasks: Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices. Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications. Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components. Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies. Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary. Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices. Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use. Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools. Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes. 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. Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills. Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment. Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools. Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
License: License not required.
Outlook: Satisfactory
Alabama Employment Outlook
Alabama Wage Data
Hourly Wage   Annual Wage
Entry $12.93   Entry $26,899.00
Mean $18.31   Mean $38,090.00
Experience $21.00 Experience $43,680.00

The data is based on the May 2017 Occupation Employment Survey employment and wage estimate file. The wages have been aged using the most current ECI factors reflecting wages as of June 2018.

Alabama Projections
Estimated Employment 2016Projected Employment 2026Annual Average OpeningsAnnual Growth Rate
1,7502,0202251.44
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Occupational Videos
51-4122.00 Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders