Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Machines can already do 22% of this job's tasks. By 2035 that rises to 61%. The job changes before it disappears.
Share of the work machines can do
Worldwide baseline, 2026 to 2050
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in 2026: the short answer
- Today: machines can do 22% of this job's tasks, and AI use is already seen in 0% of them.
- Forecast: machines can do half of its tasks by 2033, and 61% by 2035, according to the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit.
- Size: 416,210 people do this job in the United States, on a median pay of $53,750 a year.
- Contact with people: it scores 59% for contact with people.
- Also called: Assembly Line Brazer, Brazer, Fabrication Welder, Maintenance Welder.
Updated by the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit. These are worldwide baseline figures; the Workforce Starburst shows them for your country. Go deeper: How ready am I? or an executive briefing.
How the work changes, task by task
The tasks that take up most of the day, with the share of each that machines can do in 2026 (dark) and 2035 (pink). Worldwide baseline.
| Task | Share of the day | Machines can do | 2026 to 2035 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions | 22% | 20% to 60% | |
| Align and clamp workpieces together, using rules, squares, or hand tools, or position items in fixtures, jigs, or vises | 6% | 20% to 60% | |
| Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Recognize, set up, and operate hand and power tools common to the welding trade, such as shielded metal arc and gas metal arc welding equipment | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Prepare all material surfaces to be welded, ensuring that there is no loose or thick scale, slag, rust, moisture, grease, or other foreign matter | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Chip or grind off excess weld, slag, or spatter, using hand scrapers or power chippers, portable grinders, or arc-cutting equipment | 5% | 20% to 60% | |
| Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits | 4% | 20% to 60% |
The skills this job runs on
The skills welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers use most, most used first.
Safer jobs nearby
Jobs with a similar skill shape where machines can do less of the work by 2035.
- Bakers58% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,160
- Furniture Finishers50% of tasks by 2035 · US median $44,540
- Butchers and Meat Cutters60% of tasks by 2035 · US median $40,140
- Cooks, Restaurant59% of tasks by 2035 · US median $37,390
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Questions
When will machines do half of the tasks of Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Machines can do half of its tasks by 2033. That is the worldwide baseline from the 311 Workforce Starburst, before adjusting for country.
Will AI take the job of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers?
Machines can do 22% of the tasks of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers today and 61% by 2035. The job changes before it disappears: the routine tasks move first.
Sources and citing
Tasks and their share of the day: O*NET 31.0, occupation 51-4121.00 (US Department of Labor, CC BY 4.0). Pay and jobs: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. AI use today: Anthropic Economic Index (CC BY). Scoring and forecast: the 311 Strategic Intelligence Unit; after 2035 the figures extend each trend, with lower confidence. Foresight, not advice.
Cite as: 311 Institute (2026). Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: the outlook to 2050. 311 Workforce Starburst. https://www.311institute.com/jobs/welders-cutters-solderers-and-brazers/