People Team AI Ask about a date

How exposed to AI is a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tender?

Of the 29 tasks O*NET lists for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders, 0 could be done in half the time with a chat window today. 24 cannot be sped up at all. Here is which.

Exposure means published research judged an AI could halve the time a task takes, at the same quality. It does not mean the task stops needing a person. How to read this

Also called
Braze OperatorCertified WelderFabricatorFinishing Technician (Finishing Tech)Laser OperatorMachine OperatorMig WelderSpot WelderWeld Technician (Weld Tech)Welding Operator
Reachable today Needs software built first Cannot be sped up
29
tasks rated for this occupation
0%
hold a degree, from a survey of only 18
30k
people do this job in the US
36 of 107
least protected in production

Every task, and what AI can do with it

These are O*NET's task statements for this occupation, exactly as written, sorted into the three bands by the ratings behind this report. Nothing has been reworded.

Only with software built on top

5
  • Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines
  • Compute and record settings for new work, applying knowledge of metal properties, principles of welding, and shop mathematics
  • Record operational information on specified production reports
  • Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records
  • Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering

Cannot be sped up

24
  • Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices
  • Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications
  • Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components
  • Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies
  • Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary
  • Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices
  • Give directions to other workers regarding machine set-up and use
  • Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools
  • Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes
  • Transfer components, metal products, or assemblies, using moving equipment
  • Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools
  • Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills
  • Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment
  • Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools
  • Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes
  • Load or feed workpieces into welding machines to join or bond components
  • Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications
  • Set dials and timing controls to regulate electrical current, gas flow pressure, heating or cooling cycles, or shut-off
  • Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces
  • Start, monitor, and adjust robotic welding production lines
  • Add chemicals or materials to workpieces or machines to facilitate bonding or to cool workpieces
  • Immerse completed workpieces into water or acid baths to cool and clean components
  • Dress electrodes, using tip dressers, files, emery cloths, or dressing wheels
  • Anneal finished workpieces to relieve internal stress
What this does not say

This is not a prediction about your job

Nobody surveyed an employer. Tasks are counted equally, so a percentage here is a share of the list rather than a share of your week. And the ratings were made in 2023, which makes every figure a floor rather than a ceiling.

It must never be used to select anyone for redundancy. The full limits are here.

Where to go next

This is the standard task list for the title. The useful next question is which of the tasks you actually do should go near AI, and which should not.

Sort your own tasks Read the full report

Exposure ratings from Eloundou, Manning, Mishkin and Rock, GPTs are GPTs: Labor market impact potential of LLMs, Science 384, 1306–1308, 2024, used under the MIT licence. This page includes information from the O*NET Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. People Team AI has modified all or some of this information. USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Employment figures from the US Bureau of Labor Statistics.