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.
AI Impact Summary
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders faces moderate AI displacement risk with a score of 45/100. This occupation has higher AI displacement risk than 90% of all analyzed occupations. Of 29 analyzed tasks, 5 are highly automatable, particularly routine cognitive tasks. Strong protective factors — including social intelligence, creativity, or regulatory barriers — significantly reduce effective risk.
Skill Impact Analysis
AI-Vulnerable Skills (6)
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Programming is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
AI-Resistant Skills (11)
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Social Perceptiveness is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Equipment Maintenance is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Instructing is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
AI-Augmented Skills (7)
Recommended Courses
Courses matched to Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders skill gaps, ranked by relevance to your displacement risk profile.
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Upskill to Reduce Risk
Courses addressing your most AI-vulnerable skills
SQL Fundamentals Skill Track
by DataCamp
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AI-Augmentation Tools
Learn to work alongside AI and boost your productivity
Cybersecurity Fundamentals Path
by Pluralsight
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Strengthen Your Edge
Double down on skills AI can't replicate
Leading People and Teams Specialization
by University of Michigan
Estimated Impact
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Risk reduction and salary impact are estimates based on skill gap analysis, course relevance, and labor market data. Actual results vary by individual circumstance.
Education & Training
Percentage of workers at each education and training level
Education Level
Prior Experience Needed
Work experience required to enter this job
Training Provided After Hiring
How long it typically takes to learn on the job
How AI Impacts Each Task
29 tasks analyzed
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary.
Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
Record operational information on specified production reports.
Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.
| Task | AI Capability | Risk | Time % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 5% | |
| Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 4% | |
| Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 8% | |
| Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 5% | |
| Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 6% | |
| Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 8% | |
| Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 3% | |
| Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics. | 95Estimated | 87.2% | 3% | |
| Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 3% | |
| Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 3% | |
| Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use. | 35Estimated | 29.0% | 2% | |
| Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes. | 65Estimated | 59.0% | 3% | |
| Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools. | 35Estimated | 47.0% | 4% | |
| Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills. | 40Estimated | 49.0% | 4% | |
| Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 3% | |
| Record operational information on specified production reports. | 97Estimated | 88.0% | 2% | |
| Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment. | 60Estimated | 57.0% | 3% | |
| Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools. | 45Estimated | 51.0% | 4% | |
| Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records. | 92Estimated | 86.0% | 2% | |
| Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 3% | |
| Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering. | 20Estimated | 17.0% | 2% | |
| Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines. | 80Estimated | 65.0% | 3% | |
| Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces. | 50Estimated | 53.0% | 2% | |
| Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 2% | |
| Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels. | 75Estimated | 63.0% | 2% | |
| Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress. | 70Estimated | 61.0% | 2% |
Protective Factors
Total protective discount: 25.4%
Essential Soft Skills
Traits that are hard for AI to replicate
Wage & Employment (2024)
Median Wage
$47,060
per year
Mean Wage
$49,270
per year
Employment
36K
workers
Wage Range
$35,780 - $66,190
10th - 90th pct
Wage Distribution
Explore other career paths
Compare displacement risk across occupations and find careers with stronger long-term prospects.
Alternate Career Paths
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Print Binding and Finishing Workers
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Plating and Coating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
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Higher risk than 76% of other occupations
Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
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Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing
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Higher risk than 81% of other occupations
Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
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Higher risk than 87% of other occupations
Machine Feeders and Offbearers
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Higher risk than 98% of other occupations
Sales Managers
25%Higher risk than 20% of other occupations
Chief Executives
26%Higher risk than 23% of other occupations
General and Operations Managers
28%Higher risk than 29% of other occupations
Marketing Managers
30%Higher risk than 38% of other occupations
Advertising and Promotions Managers
31%Higher risk than 43% of other occupations
Computer and Information Systems Managers
31%Higher risk than 45% of other occupations
Recommendations
Skills to Develop
These skills are at risk from AI automation. Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders professionals should diversify beyond them.
- Information Ordering
High reliance on Information Ordering is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Mathematics
High reliance on Mathematics is a risk area. Consider developing complementary AI-resistant skills to maintain value.
- Reading Comprehension
Reading Comprehension is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Mathematics
Mathematics is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
- Memorization
Memorization is AI-vulnerable but has moderate importance in this role. AI tools may handle this; focus on higher-value skills.
Skills to Leverage
These human-centric skills remain difficult for AI to replicate. Double down here.
- Adaptability/Flexibility
Adaptability/Flexibility is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Manual Dexterity
Manual Dexterity is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Leadership
Leadership is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Complex Problem Solving
Complex Problem Solving is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
- Coordination
Coordination is AI-resistant — strengthening this skill provides durable career protection.
Tools to Adopt
AI can amplify these skills. Learn the tools that augment rather than replace your work.
- Critical Thinking
Critical Thinking will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Monitoring
Monitoring will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Judgment and Decision Making
Judgment and Decision Making will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Active Learning
Active Learning will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
- Writing
Writing will be enhanced by AI. Develop expertise in using AI tools for this skill to increase productivity.
Score History
Risk score over 2 scoring runs
overall change