What does a welder do?

Welders use special tools to permanently fuse two or more pieces of metal together. While there are different types of welding, they all use heat or pressure to combine pieces of metal as part of a new or existing structure. Welders work in a variety of industries, particularly automotive, construction, manufacturing and shipbuilding.

Welding skills are used to create new structures or repair existing metal items. It’s common for a welder to work with prefabricated materials, meaning metal pieces are prepared, often by fabricators, and ready to be combined when the welder receives them. After joining the pieces together, welders inspect the connections to ensure they meet industry standards to create strong, lasting joints.

What does a fabricator do?

A fabricator creates a metal structure from start to finish. While welding might be one component of the fabrication process, it incorporates many other techniques to build something out of metal and create a finished product.

For example, a metal fabricator starts with raw materials and cuts the pieces based on blueprints or project plans. They might shape and bend the metal to create the individual pieces before assembling them into the finished project.

Welder vs. fabricator: What are the differences?

A comparison of welder vs. fabricator job details reveals the differences that can help you make a hiring decision. The positions vary in several key areas.

Pay

On average, welders make $22.84 per hour, according to Indeed Salaries. Fabricators make an average of $20.98 per hour. However, pay rates often vary based on the location, industry and scope of the job.

Skills

Fabricators typically have a broader range of skills since they use multiple techniques to work with metal. Those skills include measuring, cutting, shaping and connecting materials, which may include welding. Reading blueprints and other project plans is an essential skill for fabricators. They also need the skills to operate a wide range of hand and power tools.

Meanwhile, welders focus on using tools to combine pieces of metal. They might specialize in a specific type of welding, such as:

• Metal inert gas (MIG)
• Tungsten inert gas (TIG)
• Arc or stick
• Plasma arc
• Electron beam and laser

Each of these welding methods uses different tools and processes. Most professional welders know how to do multiple types of welding.

Scope of the job

Welders perform a specific part of the fabrication process. Their duties typically only relate to joining metal together. Some welders focus on a specific welding method or industry, such as underwater welding.

Fabricators often take on a more comprehensive role, handling a project from start to finish. They might also have more influence over the design of the project. In some settings, the fabricator works with the designer or engineer to help them create plans for a project based on current fabrication tools and methods.

Tools used

Since welders and fabricators use different methods to work with metal, their tools also vary. Welders often use a specific type of welding machine, such as a stick welder or TIG welder. Additional materials depend on the machine used. For example, stick welding also requires welding rods and a ground clamp. Finishing the project usually requires a chipping hammer and a wire brush.

Welders also need extensive protective equipment due to the extreme heat, sparks and ultraviolet and infrared rays produced during the process. Protective equipment usually includes safety goggles and welding helmets, gloves and aprons.

Fabricators may use welding tools as part of the fabrication process, but they also use several other items to prepare and assemble metal products. Some specialty tools they use may include tube benders, rollers, presses, press brakes, English wheels and angle grinders. Complex or specialized products may require additional tools. To be a successful fabricator, a candidate needs experience using these tools and knowing when to use them.

Welder vs fabricator: Which should you hire?

Your organization’s needs and activities can help you decide between hiring a welder vs. a fabricator. Here are some factors to consider:

• Types of projects: The types of projects you complete impact which employees you need to hire. If the bulk of your projects only involve welding, you may not need a fabricator on the team. Determine whether most of your projects and duties relate more to welding or fabrication.
• Workload: Assessing the current workload is another way to decide between a welder vs. a fabricator, especially if you use both roles within your organization. It helps you anticipate which area might have a larger workload, which would justify hiring a new staff member to handle the extra duties.
• Existing staff: If you already have welding and fabrication team members, evaluate their current skills and workload to determine whether you have areas to improve upon regarding staffing or talent.
• Necessary expertise: Fabricators and welders have overlapping skills, but you may be able to identify an area where you could use more expertise.
• Future plans: Referring to your business goals and objectives allows you to assess potential changes to reach those goals. For example, if you plan to build more products from start to finish in the future, adding a fabricator to the team prepares you for those projects.
• Preferred pay rate: Based on Indeed Salaries information, welders make slightly more per hour than fabricators. Research the average pay rates in your area to help you choose an option that fits your budget.

When to hire a welder

Hiring a welder might be a good fit for your company if:

• Your production focuses on joining metal together.
• Your welding team is experiencing higher-than-normal workloads.
• Your product relies on high-quality welds that require extensive experience.
• You have a fabricator who would benefit from having a welder to handle that portion of the fabrication process.

When to hire a fabricator

Your organization may benefit from hiring a fabricator in these situations:

• Your production includes shaping, bending and assembling metal structures.
• You want to expand your capabilities beyond welding to include fabricating projects from start to finish.
• Your current fabricators are experiencing a higher volume of work.
• You want to expand your organization’s skill set to include various metalworking tasks.

FAQs about welding and fabrication

Is a welder or a fabricator more useful?

Both roles offer valuable skills to businesses in various industries. The most useful role for your organization depends on the types of products you create and the best way to produce them. Evaluate your usual projects to determine if welding or fabrication skills help you complete the job.

Does your team need both a welder and a fabricator?

Whether your team needs both roles depends on the type of work you do and the amount of work you have. If the metalwork your company completes only focuses on joining metal together, you may only need a welder.

For broader metal projects, you might also need a fabricator on the team. The workload impacts how many employees you need to work on metal projects. It’s possible to find a candidate with welding and fabrication skills. In that situation, you might hire one person if the workload is small enough for them to handle alone.

Can a welder and fabricator handle each other’s duties?

It’s possible for some welders and fabricators to take on the duties of both roles. It depends largely on the skills and experience the individual has. Since welding is often a part of the larger fabrication process, fabricators often have welding skills. Some welders also have experience in fabrication. You might also cross-train your staff so they can help each other out if one area gets backed up and needs extra support.