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”

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

Related Technology & Tools

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

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