# 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. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
- **Entity Type:** role
- **Schema Version:** role.v1
- **Soc Code:** 51-4122.00
- **Summary:** Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

## Aliases

- Fabricator
- Machine Operator
- Mig Welder
- Spot Welder
- Braze Operator
- Certified Welder
- Finishing Technician (Finishing Tech)
- Laser Operator
- Weld Technician (Weld Tech)
- Welding Operator
- Aluminum Welder
- Arc Welding Machine Operator

## Tasks

| Text | Type | Iwa |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications. | Core | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices. | Core | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces. | Supplemental | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Record operational information on specified production reports. | Core | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records. | Core | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.aj |
| Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.g |
| Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off. | Core | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines. | Core | 4.A.3.b.1.a |

## Emerging Tasks


## Activities

| Name | Iwa |
| --- | --- |
| Enter commands, instructions, or specifications into equipment. | 4.A.3.b.1.a |
| Operate welding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Load materials into production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.f |
| Feed materials or products into or through equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Direct operational or production activities. | 4.A.4.b.4.j |
| Measure dimensions of completed products or workpieces to verify conformance to specifications. | 4.A.1.b.3.a |
| Record operational or production data. | 4.A.3.b.6.h |
| Read work orders or other instructions to determine product specifications or materials requirements. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Review blueprints or other instructions to determine operational methods or sequences. | 4.A.1.a.1.b |
| Assemble metal or plastic parts or products. | 4.A.3.a.2.aj |
| Align parts or workpieces to ensure proper assembly. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Lay out parts to prepare for assembly. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Conduct test runs of production equipment. | 4.A.1.b.2.l |
| Solder parts or workpieces. | 4.A.3.a.2.ai |
| Remove products or workpieces from production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.an |
| Monitor equipment operation to ensure proper functioning. | 4.A.1.a.2.a |
| Select production equipment according to product specifications. | 4.A.2.b.1.j |
| Mount attachments or tools onto production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.f |
| Calculate specific material, equipment, or labor requirements for production. | 4.A.2.b.1.h |
| Reshape metal workpieces to established specifications. | 4.A.3.a.2.g |
| Operate grinding equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Operate cutting equipment. | 4.A.3.a.3.l |
| Clean production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.1.c |
| Maintain production or processing equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Lubricate production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Adjust equipment controls to regulate gas flow. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Adjust flow of electricity to tools or production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.i |
| Assemble machine tools, parts, or fixtures. | 4.A.3.a.2.d |
| Design tools, fixtures, or other devices for production equipment. | 4.A.3.b.2.c |
| Move products, materials, or equipment between work areas. | 4.A.3.a.1.j |
| Apply solutions to production equipment. | 4.A.3.a.2.ag |
| Apply lubricants or coolants to workpieces. | 4.A.3.b.5.a |
| Draw guide lines or markings on materials or workpieces using patterns or other references. | 4.A.3.a.2.ao |
| Heat material or workpieces to prepare for or complete production. | 4.A.3.a.2.m |
| Immerse objects or workpieces in cleaning or coating solutions. | 4.A.3.a.2.m |

## Capabilities

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Production and Processing | knowledge | 3.8 |
| Near Vision | ability | 3.75 |
| Control Precision | ability | 3.62 |
| Administration and Management | knowledge | 3.52 |
| Operations Monitoring | transferable_skill | 3.38 |
| Operation and Control | transferable_skill | 3.25 |
| Visualization | ability | 3.25 |
| Arm-Hand Steadiness | ability | 3.25 |
| Manual Dexterity | ability | 3.25 |
| Design | knowledge | 3.12 |
| Problem Sensitivity | ability | 3.12 |
| Information Ordering | ability | 3.12 |
| Selective Attention | ability | 3.12 |
| Multilimb Coordination | ability | 3.12 |
| Reading Comprehension | essential_skill | 3 |
| Active Listening | essential_skill | 3 |
| Speaking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Critical Thinking | essential_skill | 3 |
| Monitoring | essential_skill | 3 |
| Complex Problem Solving | transferable_skill | 3 |
| Oral Expression | ability | 3 |
| Deductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Inductive Reasoning | ability | 3 |
| Category Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Perceptual Speed | ability | 3 |
| Finger Dexterity | ability | 3 |
| Rate Control | ability | 3 |
| Reaction Time | ability | 3 |
| Trunk Strength | ability | 3 |
| Extent Flexibility | ability | 3 |
| Far Vision | ability | 3 |
| Speech Recognition | ability | 3 |
| Speech Clarity | ability | 3 |
| Public Safety and Security | knowledge | 2.91 |
| Oral Comprehension | ability | 2.88 |
| Written Comprehension | ability | 2.88 |
| Flexibility of Closure | ability | 2.88 |
| Static Strength | ability | 2.88 |
| Auditory Attention | ability | 2.88 |
| English Language | knowledge | 2.84 |

## Skills

| Name | Type |
| --- | --- |
| Visualization | Specialized Skill |
| Information Ordering | Specialized Skill |
| Speech Recognition | Specialized Skill |
| Reading Comprehension | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Word | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Windows | Common Skill |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Outlook | Common Skill |
| Microsoft Excel | Common Skill |
| Linux | Specialized Skill |
| Inductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Finger Dexterity | Common Skill |
| Deductive Reasoning | Common Skill |
| Critical Thinking | Common Skill |
| Complex Problem Solving | Common Skill |
| Active Listening | Common Skill |
| English Language | Common Skill |
| Depth Perception | Common Skill |
| Time Management | Common Skill |
| Active Learning | Common Skill |
| Mathematics | Common Skill |
| Social Perceptiveness | Common Skill |
| Equipment Maintenance | Specialized Skill |
| Writing | Common Skill |
| Systems Analysis | Specialized Skill |
| Instructing | Specialized Skill |
| Equipment Selection | Specialized Skill |
| Physics | Specialized Skill |
| Negotiation | Common Skill |
| Learning Strategies | Specialized Skill |
| Email Software | Specialized Skill |
| Chemistry | Specialized Skill |
| Foreign Language | Common Skill |
| Telecommunications | Specialized Skill |
| Geography | Specialized Skill |
| Biology | Specialized Skill |
| Installation | Specialized Skill |
| Psychology | Specialized Skill |
| Presentation Software | Specialized Skill |
| Industrial Control Software | Specialized Skill |

## Tools

| Example | Category | Hot | In Demand |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| Linux | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Excel | Spreadsheet software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Office software | Office suite software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Outlook | Electronic mail software | yes | no |
| Microsoft PowerPoint | Presentation software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Windows | Operating system software | yes | no |
| Microsoft Word | Word processing software | yes | no |
| SAP software | Enterprise resource planning ERP software | yes | no |
| Email software | Electronic mail software | no | no |
| Tool center point TCP setting software | Industrial control software | no | no |

## Work Context

| Name | Value |
| --- | --- |
| Wear Common Protective or Safety Equipment such as Safety Shoes, Glasses, Gloves, Hearing Protection, Hard Hats, or Life Jackets | 4.92 |
| Face-to-Face Discussions with Individuals and Within Teams | 4.69 |
| Exposed to Sounds, Noise Levels that are Distracting or Uncomfortable | 4.54 |
| Importance of Being Exact or Accurate | 4.38 |
| Time Pressure | 4.28 |
| Spend Time Standing | 4.26 |
| Exposed to Contaminants | 4.25 |
| Spend Time Making Repetitive Motions | 4.22 |
| Health and Safety of Other Workers | 4.21 |
| Work With or Contribute to a Work Group or Team | 4.17 |
| Spend Time Using Your Hands to Handle, Control, or Feel Objects, Tools, or Controls | 4.17 |
| Exposed to Minor Burns, Cuts, Bites, or Stings | 4.06 |
| Coordinate or Lead Others in Accomplishing Work Activities | 3.99 |
| Indoors, Not Environmentally Controlled | 3.92 |
| Exposed to Very Hot or Cold Temperatures | 3.89 |
| Consequence of Error | 3.88 |
| Impact of Decisions on Co-workers or Company Results | 3.86 |
| Frequency of Decision Making | 3.76 |
| Contact With Others | 3.71 |
| Work Outcomes and Results of Other Workers | 3.55 |
| Freedom to Make Decisions | 3.47 |
| Level of Competition | 3.42 |
| Pace Determined by Speed of Equipment | 3.35 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Conditions | 3.31 |
| Exposed to Hazardous Equipment | 3.29 |
| Spend Time Walking or Running | 3.29 |
| Importance of Repeating Same Tasks | 3.26 |
| Wear Specialized Protective or Safety Equipment such as Breathing Apparatus, Safety Harness, Full Protection Suits, or Radiation Protection | 3.24 |
| Determine Tasks, Priorities and Goals | 3.19 |
| Exposed to Extremely Bright or Inadequate Lighting Conditions | 3.01 |
| Spend Time Bending or Twisting Your Body | 2.88 |
| Exposed to Cramped Work Space, Awkward Positions | 2.84 |
| Physical Proximity | 2.6 |
| Conflict Situations | 2.58 |
| Indoors, Environmentally Controlled | 2.54 |
| E-Mail | 2.48 |
| Telephone Conversations | 2.43 |
| Degree of Automation | 2.41 |
| Spend Time Kneeling, Crouching, Stooping, or Crawling | 2.29 |
| Exposed to Radiation | 2.25 |

## Preparation

- **Job Zone:** 2
- **Job Zone Name:** Job Zone 1-2: Very Little to Some Preparation Needed
- **Education:** Usually requires a high school diploma or GED, though some occupations may not.
- **Experience:** Some occupations may need little or no previous experience; others require several months to a year of experience. For example, landscaping and groundskeeping workers might require very little training or previous experience, while agricultural equipment operators can benefit from on-the job training.
- **Svp Range:** (Below 6.0)

### Education Distribution

| Label | Percentage |
| --- | --- |
| High School Diploma | 32 |
| Less than a High School Diploma | 21.79 |

## Person Fit

| Name | Family | Value |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Realistic | career_interest_type | 7 |
| Mechanics/Electronics | specific_interest_area | 4.77 |
| Physical/Manual Labor | specific_interest_area | 4.71 |
| Conventional | career_interest_type | 3.9 |
| Engineering | specific_interest_area | 3.71 |
| Attention to Detail | work_style | 2.34 |
| Dependability | work_style | 2.33 |
| Investigative | career_interest_type | 2.02 |
| Cautiousness | work_style | 1.93 |
| Construction/Woodwork | specific_interest_area | 1.76 |
| Transportation/Machine Operation | specific_interest_area | 1.66 |
| Enterprising | career_interest_type | 1.5 |
| Management/Administration | specific_interest_area | 1.35 |
| Mathematics/Statistics | specific_interest_area | 1.34 |
| Artistic | career_interest_type | 1.29 |
| Physical Science | specific_interest_area | 1.28 |

## Related Roles

| Soc Code | Slug | Title | Tier |
| --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 51-4121.00 | role-51-4121-00 | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Primary-Short |
| 51-4035.00 | role-51-4035-00 | Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-2041.00 | role-51-2041-00 | Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters | Primary-Short |
| 51-4034.00 | role-51-4034-00 | Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Short |
| 51-2011.00 | role-51-2011-00 | Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers | Primary-Short |
| 51-2022.00 | role-51-2022-00 | Electrical and Electronic Equipment Assemblers | Primary-Long |
| 49-9041.00 | role-49-9041-00 | Industrial Machinery Mechanics | Primary-Long |
| 51-4081.00 | role-51-4081-00 | Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4022.00 | role-51-4022-00 | Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Primary-Long |
| 51-4194.00 | role-51-4194-00 | Tool Grinders, Filers, and Sharpeners | Primary-Long |
| 51-4033.00 | role-51-4033-00 | Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | Supplemental |
| 51-2031.00 | role-51-2031-00 | Engine and Other Machine Assemblers | Supplemental |

## Career Clusters

| Cluster | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Construction | construction |

## Education Level

- **Category:** High school diploma or equivalent

## Study Programs

| Title | Slug |
| --- | --- |
| Precision Production | precision-production |

## Market

- **Median Wage:** 47060
- **Mean Wage:** 49270
- **Pct10Wage:** 35780
- **Pct25Wage:** 39480
- **Pct75Wage:** 55870
- **Pct90Wage:** 66190
- **Employment:** 36290
- **Area Title:** U.S.

## Industries


### Top

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Median Wage | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 30940 | 47000 | 10.3 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1700 | 48440 | 1.2 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1460 | 39780 | 0.69 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1370 | 39360 | 2.2 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 1230 | 47060 | 20.12 |
| 23 | 23 | Construction | Sector | 960 | 45120 | 0.5 |
| 54 | 54 | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | Sector | 410 | 73630 | 0.16 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 410 | 73630 | 1.51 |
| 81 | 81 | Other Services (except Public Administration) | Sector | 270 | 55860 | 0.26 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 120 | 94100 | 0.88 |
| 339910 | 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | National industry | 120 | 39880 | 25.59 |
| 44-45 | 44-45 | Retail Trade | Sector | 120 | 35710 | 0.03 |

### Concentrated

| Naics | Slug | Title | Level | Employment | Lq |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| 339910 | 339910 | Jewelry and Silverware Manufacturing | National industry | 120 | 25.59 |
| 332710 | 332710 | Machine Shops | National industry | 1230 | 20.12 |
| 31-33 | 31-33 | Manufacturing | Sector | 30940 | 10.3 |
| 561320 | 561320 | Temporary Help Services | National industry | 1370 | 2.2 |
| 541330 | 541330 | Engineering Services | National industry | 410 | 1.51 |
| 42 | 42 | Wholesale Trade | Sector | 1700 | 1.2 |
| 22 | 22 | Utilities | Sector | 120 | 0.88 |
| 56 | 56 | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | Sector | 1460 | 0.69 |
- **Count:** 15

## Ai Signals

| Source | Label | Score | Scale | Release |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| frey_osborne | Computerization probability | 0.61 | 0-1 probability | 2013-baseline-2016-employment-snapshot |
| felten_aioe | AI occupational exposure | -1.002411 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_image_generation_aioe | Image generation occupational exposure | -0.7770255 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |
| felten_language_modeling_aioe | Language modeling occupational exposure | -1.047832 | relative exposure score | 2021-plus-generative-ai-workbooks |

## Ai Outlook


### Index

- **Value:** 18
- **Percentile:** 15
- **Band:** Low
- **Version:** ai-exposure-index-v1

#### Components

| Percentile | Source |
| --- | --- |
| 17 | felten_aioe |
| 13 | openai_gpts_are_gpts |
| 23 | microsoft_working_with_ai |
- **Component Count:** 3

### Exposure

| Source | Label | Value | Percentile | Band | Note |
| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | --- |
| felten_aioe | Overall AI exposure (Felten et al.) | -1.002411 | 17 | Low | How much this job's abilities overlap with what AI systems can do, across many AI capabilities. A relative research score, not a forecast of job loss. |
| eloundou_gamma | LLM task exposure, γ (OpenAI / Eloundou) | 0.09090909090909091 | 13 | Low | Share of this job's tasks where a large language model plus simple tools could cut the time to do them by at least half. γ is capped at 1.0 and many jobs reach that ceiling, so treat a top score as 'in the top group', not a precise rank. |
| microsoft_applicability | AI assistant applicability (Microsoft) | 0.07993716845917326 | 23 | Low | How applicable today's AI assistants are to this job's activities, measured from real Microsoft Copilot conversations. Applicability is not the same as replacement. |

### Frey Historical

- **Source:** frey
- **Label:** Computerization probability (Frey & Osborne, 2013)
- **Value:** 0.61
- **Percentile:** 52
- **Band:** Moderate
- **Note:** A pre-LLM (2013) estimate of how automatable this job is by computerization and robotics. Shown for historical context only — it is not part of any current AI ranking.
- **Teleworkable:** no

### Eloundou

- **Alpha:** 0.045454545454545456
- **Beta:** 0.06818181818181818
- **Gamma:** 0.09090909090909091

### Usage Tasks


### Bls

- **Growth Percent:** -9
- **Growth Percentile:** 7
- **Direction:** Declining
- **Annual Openings Thousands:** 3.2
- **Annual Openings Percentile:** 39
- **Employment2024Thousands:** 38.9
- **Employment2034Thousands:** 35.4

### Sources

| Source | Version |
| --- | --- |
| bls_employment_projections | 2024-2034 |
| dingel_neiman | dingel-neiman-workathome |
| felten_aioe | felten-raj-seamans-aioe |
| frey_osborne | frey-osborne-automation |
| microsoft_working_with_ai | working-with-ai |
| openai_gpts_are_gpts | gpts-are-gpts |

## Counts

- **Tasks:** 29
- **Skills:** 40
- **Capabilities:** 120
- **Tools:** 10
- **Related Roles:** 20

## Source

- **Dataset:** gold.onet_role_starter_surface
- **Version:** 30.3
- **Generated At:** 2026-06-02T21:00:32.945303+00:00
- **Content Hash:** 7a8010e791b112a5