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Supply Chain & ProductionStable

Welder, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

Operational-level

Also known as: Acetylene Burner, Acetylene Cutter, Acetylene Operator, Acetylene Torch Burner

Supply Chain & ProductionBachelor's Degree

Job Description

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.
WeldingMetal FabricationBrazingSolderingManufacturingSkilled TradesMaterials ScienceSkilled TradeProduction

Skills employers are looking for in 2027

Software and technologies flagged by O*NET as Hot or In-Demand for this role.

Hot technologies
Microsoft ExcelMicrosoft Office softwareMicrosoft OutlookMicrosoft WindowsOracle Database

Job Outlook 2025-2035

Projected growth

+2.4%

US average: +3.5%

Job openings

40,300

per year (US)

Jobs today

437,700

in 2025 → 448,100 (2035)

Typical entry education

High school diploma or equivalent

Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections; O*NET Bright Outlook. Read the BLS Occupational Outlook Handbook

Work Environment

How this work is typically performed, based on O*NET work context data.

Email & digital communication
Low
Working in a team
High
Contact with others
High
Freedom to make decisions
Moderate
Time pressure
High
Time spent sitting
Moderate
Working outdoors
Low
Indoor, climate-controlled
Moderate
Dealing with customers
Low
Level of competition
Moderate

Source: O*NET Work Context (v31.0)

Future Perspective

Stable Job Market

This field maintains steady employment levels with consistent demand. Job opportunities remain available with moderate competition.

Career ladder

Often before this role

  • Opérateur de production
  • Assembleur
  • Aide à la fabrication

Where it can lead

  • Inspecteur en soudage
  • Chef d'équipe en fabrication
  • Ingénieur en soudage certifié

Impact of AI on this Job

AI will significantly increase the use of advanced robotic welding and AI-driven quality control systems over the next 5-10 years, particularly in repetitive manufacturing. This will likely reduce demand for manual welders in standardized, high-volume production, while simultaneously creating a need for individuals skilled in overseeing, programming, and maintaining these automated systems, or focusing on highly specialized and custom fabrication tasks.

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Salary

$53,750

Median annual wage, BLS 2025

Required Education

Bachelor's Degree

Minimum educational requirement for this position

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