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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.

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A look at the work

  • 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.
  • Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
  • Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.

A selection of source-listed tasks; duties vary by role and employer.

Interests involved in this work

These source scores describe occupational work activities. They are separate from your personal test results.

Hands-on

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

7.0 / 7

Investigative

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

2.0 / 7

Creative

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.3 / 7

Helping people

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.1 / 7

Enterprising

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

1.5 / 7

Organizing

2026-02 · Machine Learning/Expert

3.9 / 7

Skills to explore

Source-reported importance on a 1–5 scale. Try a course, project or conversation to learn what these skills involve.

Operations Monitoring

Watching gauges, dials, or other indicators to make sure a machine is working properly.

2024-08

3.4 / 5

Operation and Control

Controlling operations of equipment or systems.

2024-08

3.3 / 5

Active Listening

Giving full attention to what other people are saying, taking time to understand the points being made, asking questions as appropriate, and not interrupting at inappropriate times.

2024-08

3.0 / 5

Complex Problem Solving

Identifying complex problems and reviewing related information to develop and evaluate options and implement solutions.

2024-08

3.0 / 5

Monitoring

Monitoring/Assessing performance of yourself, other individuals, or organizations to make improvements or take corrective action.

2024-08

3.0 / 5

Critical Thinking

Using logic and reasoning to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems.

2024-08

3.0 / 5

Reading Comprehension

Understanding written sentences and paragraphs in work-related documents.

2024-08

3.0 / 5

Speaking

Talking to others to convey information effectively.

2024-08

3.0 / 5

Judgment and Decision Making

Considering the relative costs and benefits of potential actions to choose the most appropriate one.

2024-08

2.8 / 5

Time Management

Managing one's own time and the time of others.

2024-08

2.6 / 5

Plan a small next step

Talk to someone doing this work, look for a supervised activity, and explore the subjects that interest you. Admission, licensing and current program requirements should be confirmed with the relevant institutions.

Source preparation category: Job Zone 2 of 5 · 2026-02. This category describes typical preparation, not your eligibility.

Related study fields

Source crosswalk connections are research leads, not required qualifications.

Welding Technology/Welder →

Explore all related study fields →

Source & methodology

O*NET-SOC code 51-4122.00 · Database 31.0 · Retrieved Oct 14, 2026. Dates on individual observations describe their source periods.

How interest exploration matching works →

Data: O*NET® 31.0 Database, U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration. Used under CC BY 4.0. StudyIndex normalizes the presentation and adds exploration features; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed or tested these additions.