Welding, brazing, and soldering machine setters, operators, and tenders Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
職業代碼: 51-4122（SOC） 非技術移民職業 總體 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.
評分 · 總體 5.6/10i
In the AI era: what happens to Welding, brazing, and soldering machine setters, operators, and tenders
焊工（初級）崗位因AI驅動的自動化焊接系統在製造業、建築業中逐步普及，入門級手工焊接任務被顯著壓縮，但對複雜結構焊接與現場作業的需求仍存。
- 批量標準化金屬件的自動焊接（如車身焊接、管道接頭）
- 基於CAD模型的機器人編程與路徑規劃替代人工示教
- 焊接品質在線檢測（視覺檢測+AI缺陷識別）
- 焊接參數自動調節與焊接過程監控
- AI輔助焊接參數優化（根據材料厚度、環境溫度實時推薦電流電壓）
- 擴增實境（AR）焊接引導系統提升新手培訓效率
- 無人機/爬行機器人搭載焊接模組完成高空或危險環境焊接
- 數位孿生焊接模擬減少試件浪費
- AI驅動的多機器人協同焊接群控
- 非標工件、空間受限部位的現場手工焊接（如船上、管道內部）
- 高應力、高疲勞壽命要求的壓力容器與承重結構焊接
- 異種金屬、特殊合金（鈦、鋁鎂合金）的焊接工藝開發
- 焊接質量責任認定與返修決策
- 焊接機器人的編程與調試（如FANUC、KUKA、ABB）
- 焊接工藝模擬軟體（如Simufact Welding、SYSWELD）
- 自動化焊接質量控制與測試方法
- 數位製造基礎知識（CAD/CAM、BOM管理）
- 國際焊接工程師（IWE）等進階認證
- AR/VR焊接模擬培訓系統操作
入門焊工崗位在工廠生產線上顯著減少，自動焊接機器人已能完成簡單重複的焊接任務。新手焊工更難找到純粹的手工焊接機會，但持有6G等高級證書或具備特種材料焊接能力的焊工需求依然穩定。
從初級焊工升級為自動化焊接技師，學習機器人程式設計與離線模擬，掌握至少一種主流焊接機器人作業系統。進一步可轉型為焊接製程工程師，利用AI工具優化參數與缺陷預測，或向焊接機器人整合工程師發展，負責產線焊接單元的設計與調試。考取AWS或CWB高階認證可提升競爭力。
薪資
| 經驗 | 年薪 (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 初級（0-3年） | $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. |
教育路徑
| 階段 | 時長 | 費用 (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 |
資格
| 學歷 | 發證機構 | |
|---|---|---|
| Welding certification (e.g., AWS Certified Welder) | American Welding Society (AWS) | 可選 |
| OSP certification (Operator Skills) | AWS | 可選 |
移民
非技術移民職業. Visa pathways depend on matching the specific duties to the right petition category; refer to the latest USCIS rules and the relevant category.
適合對象
- 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
職業前景
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.
成長領域：
ManufacturingAutomationInfrastructureRetirement
常見問題
數據來源
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.