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Boston Career Explorer

Production

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.

Also called: Braze Operator, Certified Welder, Fabricator, Finishing Technician (Finishing Tech), Laser Operator, Machine Operator

Median pay in Greater Boston
$50,230
$24.15/hr
Jobs in Greater Boston
360
Massachusetts 2024–2034
−6.8%
60 openings a year
Typical U.S. entry requirement
High school diploma or equivalent
plus Moderate-term on-the-job training

Greater Boston: Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH metro area, May 2025. Growth and openings: Massachusetts statewide projection.

Pay range in Greater Boston

Yearly pay in Greater Boston by percentile
10th25thMedian75th90th
$40,090$44,670$50,230$59,270$67,750

10% of workers earn less than the first figure and 10% earn more than the last.

What you’d do

  • Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
  • Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
  • Record operational information on specified production reports.
  • Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
  • Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
  • Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.

AI and this job

AI exposure: how much of this job’s work AI tools can do or help with, based on national research. It is not a forecast of job loss.

Lower exposure15 of 100

The index averages three national research measures, each shown as a percentile of all jobs:

  • AIOE 16
  • Language-model AIOE 16
  • GPTs-are-GPTs 14

Observed AI use today: Little or none (Anthropic Economic Index)

AI exposure for this job is lower, and observed AI use is little or none. AI tools could help with reading work orders and filling out production reports. Setting up machines, fixing problems, and inspecting finished pieces still need a person. Federal projections say robotics and computer-controlled machines are expected to take on more of this work, and Massachusetts projects a 6.8% decline.

Likely to change

  • Reading work orders and production schedules
  • Recording operating information on production reports

Still relies on people

  • Setting up welding machines and holding devices
  • Fixing problems and inspecting finished workpieces

What federal projections say

“Productivity change - share decreases as programmable machines, such as robotics and computer-controlled (CNC) machinery, increasingly replace less advanced machinery, increasing efficiency.”
BLS Employment Projections 2025–35, factors affecting this job (U.S.)

Written with AI from the data on this page. Check with a career coach before making a decision.

Next steps from here

Related jobs that build on what you already do.

  • Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

    Inspecting and measuring metal pieces carry over to hands-on welding. The Boston median is $63,770, and Massachusetts growth is 4.2%.

    Pay difference
    +$13,540 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +4.2%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Bus and Truck Mechanics and Diesel Engine Specialists

    Using hand tools, power tools, and welding equipment carries over to repair work. The Boston median is $75,770 and Massachusetts growth is 5.1%.

    Pay difference
    +$25,540 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +5.1%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

  • Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic

    Setting controls, measuring products, and adjusting machines carry over. Massachusetts growth is 3.9%, and the Boston median is $51,220.

    Pay difference
    +$990 median
    AI exposure
    Lower
    MA growth
    +3.9%
    To get started
    High school diploma or equivalent

Training near Boston

College and school programs in the Boston metro area that lead to this job, with 2023-24 completions (IPEDS).

1 program near Boston

Related occupations

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