Average Salary for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
SOC 51-4121 · Production Occupations · 2024 data
The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States is $51,000 ($24.52/hr), based on 2024 BLS OEWS data. Wages range from $38,130 at the 10th percentile to $75,850 at the 90th percentile nationally. An estimated 424,040 people work in this occupation across the country. The national median wage has grown 36.3% since 2014.
Median Annual
$51,000
Mean Annual
$55,100
10th Pct
$38,130
75th Pct
$61,610
Employment
424,040
Salary Distribution
$38k
10th
$46k
25th
$51k
Median
$62k
75th
$76k
90th
Highest Paying Metro Areas
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Fairbanks-College, AK | $83,400 |
| Lima, OH | $83,100 |
| Urban Honolulu, HI | $77,350 |
| Baton Rouge, LA | $75,670 |
| Bremerton-Silverdale-Port Orchard, WA | $69,140 |
| Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT | $69,120 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $67,560 |
| Bridgeport-Stamford-Danbury, CT | $65,510 |
| Kahului-Wailuku, HI | $65,170 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $64,510 |
| Portland-South Portland, ME | $64,330 |
| Anchorage, AK | $64,150 |
| St. Joseph, MO-KS | $63,990 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $63,890 |
| Lake Charles, LA | $63,760 |
Salary by State
| State | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Hawaii | $76,970 |
| Alaska | $75,140 |
| Wyoming | $66,070 |
| Connecticut | $64,520 |
| Washington | $61,730 |
| Massachusetts | $61,710 |
| North Dakota | $60,270 |
| Louisiana | $59,860 |
| New Jersey | $59,630 |
| Nevada | $59,370 |
| Minnesota | $58,730 |
| District of Columbia | $58,700 |
| Oregon | $58,590 |
| Maine | $58,340 |
| California | $57,940 |
| New Hampshire | $57,700 |
| Vermont | $57,520 |
| Virginia | $57,350 |
| New York | $57,230 |
| Colorado | $57,200 |
| Rhode Island | $57,000 |
| Delaware | $56,510 |
| Maryland | $56,420 |
| Utah | $56,050 |
| Wisconsin | $55,630 |
| Arizona | $53,770 |
| New Mexico | $52,460 |
| Montana | $51,280 |
| Pennsylvania | $50,860 |
| Nebraska | $50,550 |
| Virgin Islands | $50,540 |
| North Carolina | $49,860 |
| Texas | $49,830 |
| Illinois | $49,730 |
| Mississippi | $49,490 |
| Missouri | $49,460 |
| Iowa | $49,450 |
| Florida | $49,430 |
| Ohio | $49,410 |
| Kentucky | $49,260 |
| Idaho | $49,190 |
| South Carolina | $49,120 |
| Kansas | $49,040 |
| Michigan | $48,930 |
| Oklahoma | $48,490 |
| Indiana | $48,460 |
| South Dakota | $48,340 |
| Georgia | $48,000 |
| Tennessee | $47,280 |
| Alabama | $47,170 |
| Arkansas | $47,100 |
| West Virginia | $47,000 |
| Guam | $39,950 |
| Puerto Rico | $29,020 |
Salary by Industry
National median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers broken down by industry sector, 2024 data.
| Industry | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Air Transportation | $134,000 |
| Scheduled Air Transportation | $134,000 |
| Fossil Fuel Electric Power Generation | $114,770 |
| Electric Power Generation, Transmission and Distribution | $109,360 |
| Utilities | $106,720 |
| Utilities | $106,720 |
| Nuclear Electric Power Generation | $104,680 |
| Natural Gas Distribution | $102,610 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Crude Oil | $99,480 |
| Pipeline Transportation of Natural Gas | $93,990 |
| Pipeline Transportation | $93,070 |
| Deep Sea, Coastal, and Great Lakes Water Transportation | $88,460 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $84,290 |
| Petroleum and Coal Products Manufacturing | $84,290 |
| Drywall and Insulation Contractors | $83,730 |
| Pulp, Paper, and Paperboard Mills | $82,540 |
| Metal Ore Mining | $80,850 |
| Paper Manufacturing | $79,950 |
| Rail Transportation | $79,860 |
| Rail Transportation | $79,860 |
| Utility System Construction | $78,540 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $78,330 |
| Oil and Gas Extraction | $78,330 |
| Coal Mining | $77,460 |
| Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $75,550 |
| Scientific Research and Development Services | $74,540 |
| Dairy Product Manufacturing | $74,540 |
| Research and Development in the Physical, Engineering, and Life Sciences | $74,540 |
| Mining (except Oil and Gas) | $73,060 |
| Federal Government, including the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $72,360 |
| Federal Executive Branch (OEWS Designation) | $72,360 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | $71,660 |
| Amusement Parks and Arcades | $70,420 |
| Power and Communication Line and Related Structures Construction | $69,340 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $69,310 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, excluding State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $69,310 |
| Federal, State, and Local Government, including State and Local Government Schools and Hospitals and the U.S. Postal Service (OEWS Designation) | $68,490 |
| Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers | $67,770 |
| Amusement, Gambling, and Recreation Industries | $66,750 |
| Other Amusement and Recreation Industries | $66,680 |
| Other Pipeline Transportation | $66,570 |
| Electrical Contractors and Other Wiring Installation Contractors | $65,940 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | $65,580 |
| Plumbing, Heating, and Air-Conditioning Contractors | $65,310 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | $65,200 |
| Local Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $65,050 |
| Hydroelectric Power Generation | $64,970 |
| Local Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $64,660 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | $64,300 |
| Architectural, Engineering, and Related Services | $64,000 |
| Engineering Services | $63,940 |
| Motor Vehicle Manufacturing | $63,830 |
| Building Equipment Contractors | $63,660 |
| Seafood Product Preparation and Packaging | $63,440 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $63,390 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $63,390 |
| Facilities Support Services | $63,300 |
| Testing Laboratories and Services | $63,170 |
| Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing | $62,490 |
| Performing Arts, Spectator Sports, and Related Industries | $62,410 |
| Accounting, Tax Preparation, Bookkeeping, and Payroll Services | $62,400 |
| Residential Building Construction | $61,810 |
| Support Activities for Air Transportation | $61,360 |
| Furniture, Home Furnishings, Electronics, and Appliance Retailers | $61,300 |
| Furniture and Home Furnishings Retailers | $61,300 |
| Grain and Oilseed Milling | $61,270 |
| Chemical Manufacturing | $61,130 |
| Other Heavy and Civil Engineering Construction | $61,110 |
| Personal and Household Goods Repair and Maintenance | $61,030 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $60,930 |
| Support Activities for Mining | $60,930 |
| Food Manufacturing | $60,890 |
| Animal Slaughtering and Processing | $60,800 |
| Ship and Boat Building | $60,700 |
| Nonresidential Building Construction | $60,560 |
| Construction of Buildings | $60,560 |
| Chemical Manufacturing (3251, 3252, 3253, and 3259 only) | $60,480 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $60,400 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $60,400 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | $60,400 |
| Construction | $60,270 |
| Sugar and Confectionery Product Manufacturing | $60,250 |
| Elementary and Secondary Schools | $60,210 |
| Water, Sewage and Other Systems | $60,210 |
| Painting and Wall Covering Contractors | $60,110 |
| Real Estate | $60,110 |
| Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction | $60,030 |
| Support Activities for Rail Transportation | $59,820 |
| Waste Treatment and Disposal | $59,770 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4242 and 4246 only) | $59,140 |
| Automotive Body, Paint, Interior, and Glass Repair | $59,130 |
| Building Finishing Contractors | $59,000 |
| Other Specialty Trade Contractors | $58,830 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Mining and Quarrying | $58,490 |
| Other Building Equipment Contractors | $58,450 |
| State Government, excluding Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $57,950 |
| State Government, including Schools and Hospitals (OEWS Designation) | $57,950 |
| Engine, Turbine, and Power Transmission Equipment Manufacturing | $57,930 |
| Office Administrative Services | $57,520 |
| Specialty Trade Contractors | $57,310 |
| Support Activities for Transportation | $57,090 |
| Water Transportation | $56,530 |
| Rental and Leasing Services (5322, 5323, and 5324 only) | $56,440 |
| Machinery, Equipment, and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $56,380 |
| Remediation and Other Waste Management Services | $56,260 |
| Specialized Design Services | $56,230 |
| Automotive Parts, Accessories, and Tire Retailers | $56,160 |
| Rental and Leasing Services | $56,150 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | $56,150 |
| Waste Management and Remediation Services | $56,120 |
| Poured Concrete Foundation and Structure Contractors | $56,050 |
| Automotive Repair and Maintenance | $56,030 |
| Landscaping Services | $55,760 |
| Educational Services | $55,680 |
| Motor Vehicle and Parts Dealers | $55,250 |
| Masonry Contractors | $55,030 |
| Navigational, Measuring, Electromedical, and Control Instruments Manufacturing | $55,020 |
| Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools | $54,810 |
| Other Support Services | $54,650 |
| Automobile Dealers | $54,650 |
| Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | $54,340 |
| Support Activities for Water Transportation | $54,160 |
| Services to Buildings and Dwellings | $54,070 |
| Support Activities for Road Transportation | $53,910 |
| Foundries | $53,300 |
| Repair and Maintenance | $53,300 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | $53,300 |
| Other Motor Vehicle Dealers | $53,150 |
| Metalworking Machinery Manufacturing | $53,040 |
| Waste Collection | $53,040 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods | $52,990 |
| Inland Water Transportation | $52,990 |
| Automotive Mechanical and Electrical Repair and Maintenance | $52,970 |
| Investigation and Security Services | $52,900 |
| Security Systems Services | $52,900 |
| Commercial and Industrial Machinery and Equipment (except Automotive and Electronic) Repair and Maintenance | $52,820 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $52,730 |
| Warehousing and Storage | $52,730 |
| Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services | $52,320 |
| Electrical Equipment Manufacturing | $52,260 |
| Business, Professional, Labor, Political, and Similar Organizations | $51,770 |
| Religious, Grantmaking, Civic, Professional, and Similar Organizations | $51,770 |
| Electronic and Precision Equipment Repair and Maintenance | $51,410 |
| Nonmetallic Mineral Product Manufacturing | $51,310 |
| Nonferrous Metal (except Aluminum) Production and Processing | $51,050 |
| Railroad Rolling Stock Manufacturing | $50,940 |
| Cross-industry, Private Ownership only | $50,840 |
| Machine Shops | $50,820 |
| Machine Shops; Turned Product; and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $50,630 |
| Alumina and Aluminum Production and Processing | $50,620 |
| Machinery Manufacturing | $50,430 |
| Machinery Manufacturing (3331, 3332, 3334, and 3339 only) | $50,330 |
| Textile Product Mills | $50,240 |
| Other Textile Product Mills | $50,240 |
| Foundation, Structure, and Building Exterior Contractors | $50,170 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3321, 3322, 3325, 3326, and 3329 only) | $49,970 |
| Truck Transportation | $49,870 |
| Primary Metal Manufacturing | $49,830 |
| Manufacturing | $49,740 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing | $49,640 |
| Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $49,640 |
| Rubber Product Manufacturing | $49,590 |
| Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing | $49,490 |
| Electrical Equipment, Appliance, and Component Manufacturing | $49,470 |
| Wholesale Trade | $49,450 |
| Sawmills and Wood Preservation | $49,390 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods | $49,370 |
| Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only) | $49,320 |
| Steel Product Manufacturing from Purchased Steel | $49,230 |
| Iron and Steel Mills and Ferroalloy Manufacturing | $49,100 |
| Other Electrical Equipment and Component Manufacturing | $48,870 |
| Farm and Garden Machinery and Equipment Merchant Wholesalers | $48,760 |
| Motor Vehicle Body and Trailer Manufacturing | $48,660 |
| Other Support Activities for Transportation | $48,480 |
| Wood Product Manufacturing | $48,320 |
| Medical Equipment and Supplies Manufacturing | $48,270 |
| Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $48,270 |
| Communications Equipment Manufacturing | $48,200 |
| Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities | $48,040 |
| Other Miscellaneous Manufacturing | $47,840 |
| Other Transportation Equipment Manufacturing | $47,720 |
| Other Wood Product Manufacturing | $47,710 |
| Turned Product and Screw, Nut, and Bolt Manufacturing | $47,620 |
| Computer and Electronic Product Manufacturing | $47,360 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Durable Goods (4232, 4233, 4235, 4236, 4237, and 4239 only) | $47,360 |
| Retail Trade | $47,310 |
| Electric Lighting Equipment Manufacturing | $47,240 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | $47,040 |
| Educational Services | $46,900 |
| Technical and Trade Schools | $46,890 |
| Other Furniture Related Product Manufacturing | $46,860 |
| Merchant Wholesalers, Nondurable Goods (4241, 4247, and 4249 only) | $46,710 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing | $46,590 |
| Household Appliance Manufacturing | $46,540 |
| Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing (3371 and 3372 only) | $46,480 |
| Administrative and Support Services | $46,130 |
| Motor Vehicle and Motor Vehicle Parts and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $46,020 |
| Building Material and Supplies Dealers | $45,970 |
| Building Material and Garden Equipment and Supplies Dealers | $45,940 |
| Employment Services | $45,670 |
| Motor Vehicle Parts Manufacturing | $45,590 |
| Temporary Help Services | $45,440 |
| Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing | $44,200 |
| Support Activities for Crop Production | $43,440 |
| Support Activities for Agriculture and Forestry | $43,440 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | $42,090 |
| Veneer, Plywood, and Engineered Wood Product Manufacturing | $41,990 |
| Plastics Product Manufacturing | $41,600 |
| Professional and Commercial Equipment and Supplies Merchant Wholesalers | $40,550 |
| Computer and Peripheral Equipment Manufacturing | $40,030 |
| Semiconductor and Other Electronic Component Manufacturing | $39,610 |
| Roofing Contractors | $37,670 |
| Automotive Equipment Rental and Leasing | $36,840 |
| Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing | $36,330 |
| Lawn and Garden Equipment and Supplies Retailers | $35,720 |
National Wage Trend
View data table
| Year | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| 2024 | $51,000 |
| 2023 | $48,940 |
| 2022 | $47,540 |
| 2021 | $47,010 |
| 2020 | $44,190 |
| 2019 | $42,490 |
| 2018 | $41,380 |
| 2017 | $40,240 |
| 2016 | $39,390 |
| 2015 | $38,150 |
| 2014 | $37,420 |