What’s the difference between a welder and a welding engineer?

What’s the difference between a welder and a welding engineer? 

If you’re looking to get into the welding industry, it is crucial to know the difference between welders and welding engineers. Both are crucial to the construction, manufacturing, and materials joining industries, but they are worlds apart in terms of responsibilities, education, and career prospects. 

If you want to take your engineering career to the next level, The Ohio State University offers the only Master of Science in Welding Engineering degree in the nation, a big step toward becoming a leader in this in-demand industry. 

Welder vs. welding engineer 

Welding engineering is more than just joining metal; it’s an engineering discipline that combines advanced science, technology and, hands-on skill. In the industry, the terms “welder” and “welding engineer” represent two different career paths with different roles, qualifications, and expectations. 

What is a welding engineer? 

If you’re asking yourself, “Why are engineers important?”, welding engineers offer a clear answer. They ensure structural safety, production efficiency, and quality assurance in complex manufacturing environments — which all contribute to modern industry. 

Welding engineers are highly trained professionals who design, develop and oversee welding processes. They use advanced knowledge in materials science, metallurgy, welding codes, and quality assurance to solve engineering problems and tackle materials joining challenges. Welding engineers work in pressure vessels, off-road equipment, turbine engines, and aerospace industries. 

Welding engineers select welding techniques, evaluate welds, document operations and ensure structures meet welding standards and codes. Many welding engineers have degrees in welding engineering or mechanical engineering with specialization in specific industries. 

The online Master of Science in Welding Engineering program at Ohio State offers a unique opportunity to advance in this field with specialized education and training in advanced welding techniques and processes for professionals who already have an engineering bachelor’s degree. 

What is a welder? 

Welders operate welding machines to fuse metals together according to procedures developed by welding engineers. Welders are experts in reading blueprints, interpreting welding symbols, and setting up welding machines for various projects. With technical training and certifications like the American Welding Society (AWS), welding career paths are vast, and welding professionals bring designs to life and ensure each weld meets strict quality control processes. 

Key differences in responsibilities and qualifications 

While both welding engineers and welders are important, the key differences can be found in their scope of work, education and responsibilities. 

• Welding Engineers work on a systems level to design, evaluate and improve welding processes for production and safety. They usually have a bachelor’s degree in welding engineering or mechanical engineering. 

• Welders are hands-on professionals who execute welding tasks on the shop floor, following established welding procedures and safety protocols. Many welders get their qualifications through certifications and hands-on training. 

What do welding engineers do? 

Welding engineers bridge the gap between design and execution. They ensure welded structures meet quality and safety standards through in-depth knowledge of materials, processes, and industry codes. Their role is strategic and requires continuous problem-solving and collaboration across various engineering disciplines. 

Some of the key duties include: 

• Investigate welding-related issues to improve product performance and increase manufacturing productivity. 

• Design welded components, assemblies and structures including buildings, pressure vessels and pipelines. 

• Develop repair procedures and evaluate flaws to assess structural fitness-for-service. 

• Establish standards for materials, weld joint design and welding processes. 

• Create and qualify welding procedure specifications, supplier qualifications and testing protocols. 

• Diagnose welding problems and implement corrective actions. 

What do welders do? 

Welders execute the essential tasks required to bring designs to life. They use various welding machines and techniques to join materials, ensuring the final product meets safety and quality standards. Precision and safety are key in this field, as is the ability to perform non-destructive testing on welds. 

Some key duties include: 

• Join metals using various welding techniques and processes. 

• Operate welding equipment, such as arc welding machines, which generate electrical currents to produce heat and fuse metals. 

• Select appropriate welding methods based on factors like metal type, material thickness and project requirements. 

Salary comparison: welder vs. welding engineer 

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage for welders is around $51,000 and can vary based on education, skill set, industry and many other factors. 

Meanwhile, welding engineers typically earn a salary that reflects their advanced education and specialized skills. According to the American Welding Society, the median salary for welding engineers is around $95,000 and higher, particularly in sectors like aerospace, energy and automotive where their expertise in materials and welding technology is highly valued. 

Factors affecting salary differences 

• Education level: Welding engineers usually have an engineering degree (bachelor’s or advanced), while welders get their skills through certifications and hands-on training. 

• Job experience: Years of experience in complex welding operations or engineering projects impact earning potential. 

• Industry demand: Welding engineers are in high demand in industries that require precision, such as aerospace, energy and off-road equipment. 

How to become a welding engineer 

To become a welding engineer, aspiring professionals typically pursue a degree in welding engineering or a related field like mechanical engineering. 

Many people ask, how long does it take to become a welding engineer? Generally, it can take about four years to earn a bachelor’s degree in welding engineering. Additional time may be needed for certification or advanced degrees, such as the online Master of Science in Welding Engineering, which can add one to two more years depending on different factors. 

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in engineering or physical sciences 

• Training: Hands-on experience in welding and fabrication 

• Advanced Education: Master’s degree in Welding Engineering 

• Advanced Training: Completion of an apprenticeship program 

• Advanced Certification: Professional Engineering license (P.E. or P.Eng.) 

Career paths for welding engineers 

The online Master of Science in Welding Engineering program at Ohio State enhances your technical expertise and broadens your knowledge within the welding field, with applications across many industries. 

Whether you’re pursuing a career in aerospace, biomedical, materials, or mechanical engineering or looking to advance in your current engineering role, this program prepares you for professional growth and career advancement. 

Potential roles include: 

• Aerospace engineer 

• Automotive engineer 

• Industrial engineer 

• Materials engineer 

• Mechanical engineer 

• Mechatronic engineer 

• Nanosystems engineer 

Benefits of the master of science in welding engineering program at The Ohio State University 

The Ohio State University is the only institution in the nation to offer the Master of Science in Welding Engineering. This unique, 100% online program provides students with specialized knowledge to lead in the welding industry. 

Benefits of the program include: 

• Proven track record: Part of a well-established program with a history of producing top-notch welding engineers since 2003. 

• Global industry recognition: Trusted by the global manufacturing community to meet the growing demand for skilled welding professionals. 

• Flexible online format: Fully online and asynchronous program designed for working professionals, so you can advance your education without putting your career on hold. 

• Highly ranked: Ranked among the top online master’s in engineering programs by U.S. News & World Report. 

• Career growth: For engineers looking to move up or retrain into welding engineering roles. 

• Industry experts: Learn from instructors with extensive industry experience in welding process development, weldability testing, and residual stress analysis. 

• Technical depth: Get the skills to handle complex welding processes and materials in high-end manufacturing roles.