Welding, brazing, and soldering machine setters, operators, and tenders Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
Occupation code: 51-4122（SOC） Not a skilled migration occupation Overall 5.6/10
Responsible for setting up, operating, or overseeing automated equipment such as welding, brazing, soldering robots, or laser cutters to join or process metal parts. Typically works in high-volume manufacturing environments like automotive or shipbuilding.
Ratings · Overall 5.6/10i
In the AI era: what happens to Welding, brazing, and soldering machine setters, operators, and tenders
Entry-level welder roles are decreasing due to AI-driven automated welding systems in manufacturing and construction, but demand for complex structural welding and field work remains.
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Has replaced welders in repetitive, standardised welding tasks, such as spot welding and arc welding on automotive assembly lines, and continuous welding of large steel structures.
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Replaces welders' arc welding operations in mass production, such as welding car chassis, frames, as well as medium-thick plate welding tasks for ships and pipelines.
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Replaces welders in small-to-medium batch, multi-variety welding production, such as welding metal furniture, agricultural machinery, and pressure vessels.
- Automated Welding with Machine Learning in Shipbuilding Research Partial 2022
Assists or replaces welders in complex weld path planning, such as automatic path generation and quality control for 3D complex joints in shipbuilding.
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- Batch standardised metal parts automatic welding (e.g., car body welding, pipe joints)
- Robot programming and path planning based on CAD models replace manual teaching
- Online weld quality inspection (visual inspection + AI defect detection)
- Automatic adjustment of welding parameters and welding process monitoring
- AI-assisted welding parameter optimization (real-time recommendation of current/voltage based on material thickness and ambient temperature)
- Augmented reality (AR) welding guidance system improves novice training efficiency
- Drones/crawler robots equipped with welding modules for high-altitude or hazardous welding
- Digital twin welding simulation reduces material waste from test pieces
- AI-driven multi-robot collaborative welding group control
- On-site manual welding of non-standard workpieces and confined spaces (e.g., on ships, inside pipes)
- Welding of pressure vessels and load-bearing structures with high stress and fatigue life requirements
- Welding process development for dissimilar metals and special alloys (titanium, aluminum-magnesium alloys)
- Welding quality responsibility determination and repair decisions
- Programming and debugging of welding robots (e.g., FANUC, KUKA, ABB)
- Welding process simulation software (e.g., Simufact Welding, SYSWELD)
- Automated welding quality control and testing methods
- Digital manufacturing basics (CAD/CAM, BOM management)
- Advanced certifications such as International Welding Engineer (IWE)
- Operation of AR/VR welding simulation training systems
Entry-level welder positions in factory production lines are significantly reduced, as automated welding robots handle simple repetitive tasks. New welders find it harder to get pure manual welding opportunities, but demand remains stable for those with advanced certifications like 6G or specialized material welding skills.
Upgrade from a junior welder to an automated welding technician by learning robot programming and offline simulation, and mastering at least one mainstream welding robot operating system. Further transition to a welding process engineer, using AI tools to optimize parameters and defect prediction, or develop into a welding robot integration engineer responsible for designing and debugging welding cells on production lines. Obtaining AWS or CWB advanced certifications can enhance competitiveness.
Salary
| Experience | Annual (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level (0–3 years) | $28,000 ~ $35,000 | Starting salary, depending on location and employer. |
| Intermediate (3-10 years) | $38,000 ~ $48,000 | Salary increases with experience. |
| Senior (10+ years) | $50,000 ~ $62,000 | Senior technician or supervisor level. |
Education Path
| Stage | Duration | Cost (USD) |
|---|---|---|
| High school diploma or equivalent | High school | $0~$0 |
| Vocational certificate or short-term training | 6 months to 1 year | $5,000~$15,000 |
Qualifications
| Qualification | Issuer | |
|---|---|---|
| Welding certification (e.g., AWS Certified Welder) | American Welding Society (AWS) | Optional |
| OSP certification (Operator Skills) | AWS | Optional |
Migration
Not a skilled migration occupation. Visa pathways depend on matching the specific duties to the right petition category; refer to the latest USCIS rules and the relevant category.
Who it fits
- Individuals with strong hands-on skills and interest in manufacturing and metalworking
- People who can handle physical work in industrial environments
- Those willing to accept night shifts or overtime
- Those who want office white-collar jobs
- Those sensitive to repetitive work and noise
Career outlook
Can advance through experience to welding technician, robotics programmer, or production supervisor. AWS certification or an associate degree helps transition to specialized welding robot maintenance or quality control roles.
Reshoring of US manufacturing and new infrastructure projects will drive demand, but automation may limit job growth. Expected employment change from 2023-2033 is around -1% to 2%, with about 25,000 annual job openings mainly due to retirement replacement.
Growth areas：
ManufacturingAutomationInfrastructureRetirement
FAQ
Data sources
Salary ranges are estimates aggregated from public listings on Indeed, Glassdoor, ERI SalaryExpert and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS OEWS); employment and demand outlook cite the BLS Occupational Outlook and O*NET; visa and migration details follow the latest USCIS work-visa (H-1B / O-1 / L-1) and employment-based green-card (EB-2 / EB-3, incl. DOL PERM labor certification) rules. Figures are indicative only — always refer to the latest official sources.