Will “Operator” be Replaced By Robots? 🤔

61% Chance of Automation

“Operator” will maybe be replaced by robots.

This job is ranked #342 out of #702. A higher ranking (i.e., a lower number) means the job is less likely to be replaced.

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Job Description

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.

Job Details

The SOC (Standard Occupational Classification) code is 51-4122.00
The Mean Annual Wage in the U.S. is $ 38,380.00
The Mean Hourly Wage is $ 18.00
Currently, there are 46,920 people on this job

☝️ Information based on the reference occupation “Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders”.

Also Known As…

Tasks for “Operator”

Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components.
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary.
Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels.
Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use.
Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off.
Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment.
Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces.
Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics.
Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines.
Record operational information on specified production reports.
Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components.
Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress.

Related Technology & Tools

Vernier micrometers
Dial calipers
Welding helmets
Fillet weld gauges
Rulers
Brazing robots
Face masks
Desktop computers
Resistance welding guns
Resistance welding machines
Measuring tapes
Magnifiers
Vise grip pliers
Computerized numerical control CNC oxy-fuel systems
Hydraulic winches
Cold-welding machines
Safety gloves
Ball peen hammers
Diffusion-welding machines
Arc welding equipment
Heating furnaces
Layout squares
Welding torch tips
Side cutting pliers
Power grinders
Product loading equipment
Gas welding torches
Hand clamps
Undercut gauges
Portable welding machines
Hand scrapers
Center punches
Slip joint pliers
Welding tip dressers
Single-cut mill saw files
Brazing machines
Power hoists
Workpiece positioning jigs
Adjustable widemouth pliers
Bench vises
Micrometers
Tungsten inert gas TIG welding equipment
Soldering robots
Hydraulic booms
Chipping hammers
Laser-beam machines
Laser cutters
Welding electrodes
Soldering machines
Wire brushes
Tongs
Welding robots
Claw hammers
Outside micrometer calipers
C clamps
Walk-behind lift trucks
Spot welding guns
Safety goggles
Welding tip cleaning files

Tool center point TCP setting software
Spreadsheet software
Microsoft Office
Microsoft Word
Data entry software
Microsoft Excel
Email software
Word processing software