Not Very Resilient
Last Update: 6/19/2026
AI Resilience Score for Weld/Solder/Braze Machine:
30.5%
Median Score
Meaningful human contribution
Measures the parts of the occupation that still require a human touch. This score averages data from up to four AI exposure datasets, focusing on the role’s resilience against automation.
Med
Long-term employer demand
Predicts the health of the job market for this role through 2034. Using Bureau of Labor Statistics data, it balances projected annual job openings (60%) with overall employment growth (40%).
Low
Sustained economic opportunity
Measures future earning potential and career flexibility. This score is a blend of total projected labor income (67%) and the role’s inherent ability to adapt to economic and technological shifts (33%).
Low
This reflects the reliability of your score based on the number of data sources available for this career and how closely those sources agree on the outlook. A higher confidence means more consistent evidence from labor experts and AI models.
Most data sources align, with only minor variation. This is a well-supported result.
Contributing sources
AI Resilience Report forWelding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
$47,060 median salary•3,200 annual openings•SOC Code: 51-4122.00
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders are less resilient to AI impacts than most occupations, according to our analysis of 6 sources.
This career is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because many of the routine, repetitive tasks that operators and tenders handle every day, like adjusting settings, monitoring machine performance, and catching defects, are increasingly being taken over by AI-powered systems and cobots. The machines can now analyze data, suggest voltage and speed settings, and even spot welding flaws in real time, which means the role of simply tending and operating the equipment is shrinking.
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This career is labeled "Not Very Resilient" because many of the routine, repetitive tasks that operators and tenders handle every day, like adjusting settings, monitoring machine performance, and catching defects, are increasingly being taken over by AI-powered systems and cobots. The machines can now analyze data, suggest voltage and speed settings, and even spot welding flaws in real time, which means the role of simply tending and operating the equipment is shrinking.
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View analysisChat with CoachLatest newsMore career infoAnalysisChatNewsMoreAnalysis of Current AI Resilience
Weld/Solder/Braze Machine
Updated Quarterly
How is AI changing Weld/Solder/Braze Machine jobs?
Good news first: in welding, soldering, and brazing, AI is mostly showing up as a helper, not a replacement. The American Welding Society describes today's AI-enabled cobots as "like having an apprentice"—they handle programming complexity and repetitive motion so welders can focus on their core skills, with collaborative robots being increasingly deployed to improve ergonomics and drive efficiency. New systems use cameras and machine learning to do tasks operators used to do by hand, such as analyzing millions of data points, suggesting voltage, wire feed speed, and travel speed settings, and even letting the operator snap a photo of a problem so the AI can suggest a fix.
On the inspection side, acoustic sensing combined with AI [1] can now spot MIG welding defects in real time. Still, AWS notes that today's automation conversation is "focused less on replacing people and more on helping teams produce more with their existing staff", and shops typically start with a single cobot cell rather than a full robotic line.
Sources
How fast is AI adoption growing for Weld/Solder/Braze Machine?
Adoption is being pushed hard by labor shortages. Fortune reports a 250,000-worker shipbuilding shortage [2] where welders are described as "far less susceptible to automation than many white-collar jobs," and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects about 45,600 openings per year [3] through 2034 as workers retire. That makes augmentation attractive.
However, full adoption is slowed by reliability: Path Robotics' CEO told Manufacturing Dive that a demo "that works 70% of the time isn't really going to cut it" [4] for manufacturing—it needs 99%+ accuracy. Costs and the need for skilled setup also matter; the International Federation of Robotics' case studies [5] show shops adopting AI welding specifically to free skilled operators for strategic work amid a shortage of specialized labor. Bottom line for young workers: hands-on welding judgment, problem-solving, and craftsmanship remain in high demand—learning to run and supervise AI-assisted welding cells is likely the strongest career move.
Sources
Will AI replace Weld/Solder/Braze Machine?
In part. We think AI will eventually automate a real share of this work, but the transition will be gradual and will open new roles for workers who adapt.
Our 30.5% AI Resilience Score reflects real exposure. Robotic welding cells are getting smarter, and systems that analyze welding data and flag defects in real time are already on shop floors [1]. The honest reality is that routine, repetitive machine operation is the part most at risk. Long-term employer demand and earning flexibility are both weak signals for this role as it exists today.
That said, full automation is harder than it sounds. Path Robotics' CEO has noted that a demo working 70% of the time is not nearly good enough for manufacturing, where 99% or better accuracy is the real bar [4]. Shops are dealing with serious labor shortages, and the International Federation of Robotics finds companies adopting AI welding specifically to free skilled operators for more complex work [5], not to eliminate them overnight.
The smarter career move is to treat this as a pivot point. Workers who learn to set up, supervise, and troubleshoot AI-assisted welding cells will be far more valuable than those who only run machines. Skills in quality control, cobot programming, and process troubleshooting travel well into manufacturing technician and automation support roles.
Sources
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Latest AI news for Weld/Solder/Braze Machine
These articles highlight the transformative role of AI in welding, soldering, and brazing careers, emphasizing enhanced efficiency and safety. For instance, AI technologies are now used to monitor weld quality and predict equipment maintenance needs, allowing operators to focus on skill development. Additionally, the emergence of AI-driven robots addresses the skills gap in resistance welding, making the workforce more resilient. By embracing these advancements, students can position themselves for future opportunities and stay relevant in a rapidly evolving industry.
Occupation Details | CareerZone | Department of Labor
careerzonetest.labor.ny.gov • 6/20/2026
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Read more
The Impact of AI on the Welding Industry
removethefume.com • 6/20/2026
Oct 4, 2024 — AI and machine learning are revolutionizing the welding industry, offering solutions that enhance efficiency, safety, and quality. By analyzing ... Read more
How Is AI Used in Welding? - Skilled Trades
www.fortis.edu • 6/20/2026
May 26, 2026 — The use of AI in welding is changing how professionals monitor quality, maintain equipment, and build skills. Learn what that means for ...
Your Next Hire May Be an AI Robot
www.fabtechexpo.com • 6/20/2026
Jul 8, 2025 — Artificial intelligence offers a transformative solution to the resistance welding skills gap. By Jake Godgart, vice president of marketing ... Read more
Automation's Effect on Welding and Fabrication
swantonweld.com • 6/20/2026
Explore how automation and AI are transforming the welding and fabrication industry, reshaping jobs and efficiency in the digital age.
More Career Info
Career: Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
They operate machines to join or repair metal parts, ensuring everything is securely connected and functions correctly.
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Employment & Wage Data
Median Wage
$47,060
Jobs (2024)
38,900
Growth (2024-34)
-9.0%
Annual Openings
3,200
Education
High school diploma or equivalent
Experience
None
Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics, Employment Projections 2024-2034
Task-Level AI Resilience Scores
AI-generated estimates of task resilience over the next 3 years
1
Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
2
Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
3
Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
4
Tend auxiliary equipment used in welding processes.
5
Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements as necessary.
6
Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
7
Fill hoppers and position spouts to direct flow of flux or manually brush flux onto seams of workpieces.
Tasks are ranked by their AI resilience, with the most resilient tasks shown first. Core tasks are essential functions of this occupation, while supplemental tasks provide additional context.
