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Avg. salary range
$56k–$59k
across regions
Hours / Day
10
Days / Week
4
working days
About this career
A welder or lit operator is a tradesperson who specializes in fusing materials together. The materials to be joined can be metals or varieties of plastic or polymer. Welders typically have to have good dexterity and attention to detail, as well as technical knowledge about the materials being joined and best practices in the field.
Career Level
Where you could work
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Where do we get our data?
Our career data is based on regional averages provided by the Spokane Workforce Council. Data is subject to change based on location, job specialty, experience level, and/or union association.
What you'll need
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Leadership
Do you work well in a group setting? Are you good at building relationships with others? Are you good at recognizing the skills of others?
Attention To Detail
Do you often notice things that other people miss? Are you able to complete a project with few or no mistakes?
Problem Solving
Do you enjoy solving puzzles? Are you able to easily identify the cause of a problem?
Quality Control
Are you good at responding to feedback? Are you able to repeat a task with consistent results?
Education & Training
Certificate or Apprenticeship Program
Certificates and apprenticeships are available in skilled trades and career-oriented fields. Some programs offer coursework that is similar to that of associate's degree programs in the same subject, and students may be able to transfer their credits to associate's degree programs when they finish. Certificate programs usually take between one and two years to complete.
Compensation
Columbia Basin
Washington
Low
$49,100
Average
$58,500
High
$62,800
Washington minimum wage
Salary data reflects regional averages and may vary by employer, experience, and specialization.
Work Schedule
Shift cycle
4 on · 4 off per cycle
Typical shifts are 10 hours long but times vary. Shifts are usually 4 to 5 days a week but are not limited to weekdays.
How does it compare?
Average Salary
$56,733
Overall Rank
156th
out of 199 careers
In Manufacturing & Aerospace
12th
out of 18 careers
Salary distribution
Rankings are based on average salary data across all careers in our database. Individual earnings may vary.
See it in action
