Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
SOC Code: 51-4121 Job Zone 2: Some Preparation Needed
Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products.
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Prevailing Wage Levels (National)
DOL/OFLC prevailing wage thresholds for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers. Hourly rates x 2,080 = annual.
FY2027 Weighted Lottery Impact
| Level | Lottery Entries | Est. Selection Rate |
|---|---|---|
| Level I (Entry) | 1 entry | ~16% |
| Level II (Qualified) | 2 entries | ~31% |
| Level III (Experienced) | 3 entries | ~45% |
| Level IV (Expert) | 4 entries | ~61% |
Prevailing Wages by Metro Area
| Metro Area | Level I | Level II | Level III | Level IV |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $55,182 | $68,245 | $81,307 | $94,370 |
| Alaska nonmetropolitan area | $56,410 | $68,702 | $80,995 | $93,288 |
| Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area | $50,939 | $63,419 | $75,920 | $88,400 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $56,285 | $66,394 | $76,482 | $86,590 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $52,645 | $63,648 | $74,630 | $85,634 |
| Eastern Wyoming nonmetropolitan area | $50,814 | $61,901 | $72,966 | $84,053 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $51,438 | $62,192 | $72,946 | $83,699 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $45,760 | $58,406 | $71,053 | $83,699 |
| Hawaii / Kauai nonmetropolitan area | $51,438 | $61,942 | $72,446 | $82,950 |
| Kennewick-Richland, WA | $49,795 | $60,674 | $71,552 | $82,430 |
Key Skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Quality Control Analysis | 3.1 | |
| Monitoring | 3.0 | |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.9 | |
| Critical Thinking | 2.9 | |
| Time Management | 2.8 | |
| Operations Monitoring | 2.8 | |
| Active Listening | 2.6 | |
| Operation and Control | 2.6 | |
| Speaking | 2.6 | |
| Complex Problem Solving | 2.5 |
Knowledge Areas
| Knowledge | Importance |
|---|---|
| Production and Processing | 3.5 |
| Mechanical | 3.1 |
| Mathematics | 2.9 |
| English Language | 2.9 |
| Design | 2.8 |
| Engineering and Technology | 2.6 |
| Education and Training | 2.5 |
| Public Safety and Security | 2.5 |
Education Requirements
| Education Level | % of Workers |
|---|---|
| High school diploma | 53.5% |
| Less than high school | 20.8% |
| Some college | 11.6% |
| Post-secondary certificate | 11.3% |
| Associate's degree | 1.8% |
Typical Tasks
- Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
- Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
- Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
- Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment.
- Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.
- Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
- Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.
- Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
Technology Skills
Green = Hot Technology in demand
Microsoft Excel Microsoft Office software Microsoft Outlook Microsoft Windows Oracle Database EZ Pipe Enterprise resource planning ERP software Fred's Tip Cartridge Picker IBM Notes OmniFleet Equipment Maintenance Management Recordkeeping software Scientific Software Group Filter Drain FD Value Analysis
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