Welder
Join and cut metal with MIG, TIG and stick welding for construction and manufacturing.
- $53,750
- 3–18 months
Mechanics, Maintenance & Manufacturing career
Welding Machine Operator
Also called: Robotic Welding Operator · Spot Welder Operator · Brazing Machine Operator · Automated Welding Operator
What welding machine operators do, what they earn, how long training takes and how to get started, with official BLS pay data and practical, job-level detail.
What does a welding machine operator do?
Welding, soldering and brazing machine setters, operators and tenders set up, operate or tend welding, soldering or brazing machines or robots. The median pay is $47,920 per year (BLS, May 2025), most people train for about A few months on the job, and employment is projected to grow -8.9% from 2025–35.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
- Median pay$47,920$23.04/hour · May 2025
- Job growth-8.9%2025–35, a projected decline
- Openings per year2,500Average, 2025–35
- Typical entry educationHigh school diploma or equivalentBLS classification
- Time to trainA few months on the jobTypical program length
- U.S. jobs32,900Employment, 2025
What welding machine operators do
Welding machine operators run automated welders. They load parts into fixtures, start robotic and spot welding cycles, check weld quality, change tips and wire, adjust settings and keep weld cells running.
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical. BLS projects decline, though robot welding skills are valued.
Typical duties
- Load fixtures
- Run weld cycles
- Inspect welds
- Change tips and wire
- Adjust settings
- Clean equipment
- Record production
Work environment and schedule
Operators work in auto, equipment and metal product plants.
Schedule: Full time, often shifts.
A day in the life
- Check the weld cell.
- Load fixtures.
- Run the robot.
- Inspect welds.
See a full day in the life of a welding machine operator →
Welding Machine Operator salary
Half of welding machine operators earned more than $47,920 and half earned less in May 2025. Pay ranged from about $36,860 for the lowest 10% to $66,540 for the top 10%.
Full welding machine operator pay scale and hourly rates →
How to become a welding machine operator
- Finish high school
- Learn welding basics
- Get hired
- Learn robots
- Advance
A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Step-by-step guide to becoming a welding machine operator →
Skills and tools
Technical skills
- Robot welding operation
- Weld inspection
- Fixture loading
- Wire and tip changes
- Basic programming
People skills
- Attention to detail
- Reliability
- Focus
- Safety awareness
All welding machine operator skills and tools →
Pros and cons
Pros
- Robotics experience
- No degree needed
- Path to programmer
- Steady work
Cons
- Declining employment
- Fumes and flash
- Repetitive
- Shift work
Certifications and licenses
- AWS Certified Robotic Arc Welding: Credential.
- Robot operator training: FANUC or similar.
- AWS welding certification: Helpful.
- OSHA 10: Safety.
Career path
- Operator: Entry.
- Lead Operator: Lead.
- Robot Programmer: Program.
- Supervisor: Lead.
Learn the job before day one
Our Welding Machine Operator training (10 hours, $89.99) covers the role, 15+ key terms, step-by-step procedures such as inspect a robotic weld and change a MIG contact tip, safety and how to land your first job.
Related careers
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CNC Operator
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Production Assembler
Put together products and components on factory lines, following precise instructions.
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Compare: Welding Machine Operator vs. Welder · Welding Machine Operator vs. Metal Fabricator · Welding Machine Operator vs. CNC Operator · Welding Machine Operator vs. Production Assembler
Welding Machine Operator FAQ
Do I need to be a welder?
Basic welding knowledge helps.
Is the job declining?
BLS projects decline.
Can I program robots?
Many operators advance to programming.
How much does a welding machine operator make?
The median annual wage for welding machine operators was $47,920 ($23.04 per hour) in May 2025, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics. The lowest 10% earned less than $36,860 and the highest 10% earned more than $66,540.
How long does it take to become a welding machine operator?
Most people need about A few months on the job of training. A high school diploma and moderate on-the-job training are typical.
Do you need a degree to be a welding machine operator?
No four-year degree is typically required. BLS lists “high school diploma or equivalent” as the typical entry-level education, plus moderate-term on-the-job training.
More welding machine operator questions →
Sources
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025, SOC 51-4122 (Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders).
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS Employment Projections, Table 1.2 (2025–35).
- O*NET OnLine summary for Welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders (U.S. Department of Labor).
- BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook.
Reviewed by the Career Education Institute Curriculum Team. Pay figures are national estimates; local pay varies. See our editorial policy.