Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
use hand-held or remotely controlled equipment
to join or cut metal parts,
or to smooth surfaces.
These workers study sketches
and specifications to understand the full picture
of the structure and materials
before they start their work.
Welders’ and cutters’ tools use high heat
to soften the material.
Welders use these tools to join metal
in a wide variety of industries,
from car racing and manufacturing
to steel beam construction.
Cutters cut and trim metal objects,
or dismantle large objects such as ships
and railroad cars.
Work may be outdoors on a scaffold
or high platform,
or indoors in confined areas.
Bending, stooping,
and heavy lifting are common.
Soldering and brazing workers
use molten metal
to join two pieces of metal.
Soldering involves precision tasks such as
forming joins in electronic circuit boards,
while brazing uses metals
at higher temperatures to
—for example—apply coatings to parts
for protection against wear and corrosion.
Other workers in this field manage machines
or robots that perform welding, brazing,
soldering, or heat treating tasks.
These workers may also operate laser cutters
or laser-beam machines.
Hazards include very hot materials
and the intense light created by the arc.
While employers are required to provide
safely ventilated areas,
these workers typically wear
safety equipment to prevent injuries.
Most positions are full time;
evenings, weekends
and overtime hours are common.
High school education,
along with technical and on-the-job training
is typically required to enter these fields.
A certification or other skill credential
is attractive to employers.