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Metal Fabrication
Lincoln Electric, Nucor, ESAB
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
This job is about setting up machines that join metal parts with heat, solder, or filler materials, then watching closely to make sure the pieces come out right. It is more about precision machine control than hand welding, which means the work is steady and hands-on, but the tradeoff is that small setup mistakes can waste material or shut down a production line.
Also known as Welding Machine OperatorSoldering Machine OperatorBrazing Machine OperatorWelding Machine SetterAutomated Welding Operator
Median Salary
$47,060
Mean $49,270
U.S. Workforce
~36K
3.2K openings per year
10-Year Growth
+-9%
38.9K to 35.4K
Entry Education
High school diploma or equivalent
+ None experience
What This Role Looks Like in Practice
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders sits in the Trades category. In practical terms, this role combines day-to-day execution, cross-team coordination, and consistent decision-making under real business constraints.
U.S. employment is currently about ~36K workers, with a median annual pay of $47,060 and roughly 3.2K openings each year. Based on BLS projections, total employment is expected to decline from 38.9 K in 2024 to 35.4K in 2034.
Most hiring paths start with High school diploma or equivalent, and employers typically expect none of related experience. Many careers in this track begin around Production Helper and can progress toward Production Supervisor. High-value skills usually include Operations Monitoring, Operation and Control, and Monitoring, paired with soft skills such as Active Listening, Critical Thinking, and Problem Solving.
Core Responsibilities
- Load metal parts into clamps and fixtures so the machine can join them accurately.
- Build or adjust simple holding tools that keep pieces lined up during welding or soldering.
- Measure parts and follow blueprints or work orders to make sure the finished piece matches the specs.
- Watch gauges, meters, and the machine’s output for signs that the process is drifting off target.
Keep exploring: more Trades careers or browse all job titles.
A Day in the Life
01 Load metal parts into clamps and fixtures so the machine can join them accurately.
02 Build or adjust simple holding tools that keep pieces lined up during welding or soldering.
03 Measure parts and follow blueprints or work orders to make sure the finished piece matches the specs.
04 Watch gauges, meters, and the machine’s output for signs that the process is drifting off target.
05 Choose the right wire, flux, alloy, or torch tip for the type and thickness of metal being processed.
06 Start, adjust, clean, and maintain the equipment so it keeps running safely and efficiently.
Industries That Hire
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Automotive Parts Manufacturing
Magna International, Ford, Toyota
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Aerospace Manufacturing
Boeing, GE Aerospace, Lockheed Martin
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Heavy Equipment Manufacturing
Caterpillar, John Deere, Komatsu
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Appliance Manufacturing
Whirlpool, GE Appliances, Electrolux
Pros and Cons
Advantages
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You can enter the field with a high school diploma and moderate-term training, which makes it more accessible than many skilled trades.
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The median pay is $47,060 and the mean pay is $49,270, which is respectable for a role that usually does not require college.
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There are still about 3.2K annual openings, so employers continue to hire even though the occupation is shrinking.
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The work builds useful shop-floor skills like reading blueprints, setting up machines, and checking part quality.
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Good operators can move into lead, trainer, or supervisor roles without leaving manufacturing.
Challenges
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Employment is projected to drop 9.0%, from 38.9K jobs in 2024 to 35.4K by 2034, so the long-term outlook is weak.
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The work is repetitive and often physically tiring, with long periods of standing, handling metal parts, and staying alert around hot equipment.
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Small setup mistakes can waste material, delay production, or ruin a batch, so the job carries constant quality pressure.
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The pay ceiling is fairly modest for a skilled manufacturing job, with a median salary of $47,060 unless you move into supervision or a related trade.
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Automation is a real structural risk because more of the welding, soldering, and brazing process is being handled by machines, reducing demand for routine setters and tenders.
Career Progression
Production Helper
0-1 years
$33K-$38K
Starts with feeding parts, moving materials, and learning basic shop safety and machine routines.
Welding Machine Operator
1-4 years
$39K-$52K
Runs one or more machines, makes routine adjustments, and checks finished parts against the work order.
Senior Setter / Lead Operator THIS ROLE
4-8 years
$53K-$63K
Handles more complex setups, solves process problems, and helps train newer operators.
Production Supervisor
8+ years
$64K-$80K
Oversees crews, keeps output on schedule, and coordinates quality and maintenance issues across the line.
Education Paths
High school diploma or equivalent
The most common entry point, held by 32% of workers in this role, and usually paired with moderate-term on-the-job training.
Less than a high school diploma
A smaller share, 21.79% of workers, enter with less formal schooling and learn the machine work directly on the shop floor.
Welding or metal fabrication certificate
A practical alternative for people who want faster shop-floor training in blueprint reading, setup, and safety before applying for machine operator jobs.
Key Skills
Technical
Operations Monitoring 68%
Operation and Control 65%
Monitoring 60%
Reading Blueprints, Work Orders & Production Schedules 59%
Gauge, Meter & Weld Quality Inspection 58%
Welding Machine Setup & Fixture Adjustment 57%
Torch Tips, Wire, Flux & Alloy Selection 56%
Preventive Equipment Maintenance 55%
Soft Skills
Active ListeningCritical ThinkingProblem SolvingReading ComprehensionAttention to DetailTeamwork Job Outlook and Trends
+-9%
Projected growth (2024-2034)
3.2K
Annual job openings
Employment is projected to rise from 38.9K to 35.4 K over the next decade, representing -9% growth. Around 3.2 K openings per year include both newly created roles and replacement hiring from turnover.
Remote availability is currently Rare. Demand remains strongest where employers need practical domain knowledge plus modern workflow and data skills.