SOC 514122

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.

National Median

$47,060

per year

National Salary Overview

Median Annual

$47,060

Entry Level (10th pct)

$35,780

Experienced (90th pct)

$66,190

Total Employed

36,290

Salary Distribution

Salary percentiles show the range from entry-level (10th) to top earners (90th)

Salary by Experience Level

Experience Level	Estimated Salary Range
Entry Level0-2 years experience	$35,780 - $39,480
Mid Career2-8 years experience	$39,480 - $55,870
Senior / Expert8+ years experience	$55,870 - $66,190

Highest Paying Locations for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders

Washington

$78,460

+66.7% vs national

Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA

$78,460

+66.7% vs national

Alaska

$76,860

+63.3% vs national

Alaska nonmetropolitan area

$76,860

+63.3% vs national

Louisiana

$66,660

+41.6% vs national

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary by Location

Compare salaries across 50 metropolitan areas

Metropolitan Area	Median Salary	Employed
Washington	$78,460	70
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA	$78,460	60
Alaska	$76,860	60
Alaska nonmetropolitan area	$76,860	40
Louisiana	$66,660	200
West Northwestern Ohio nonmetropolitan area	$66,190	750
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD	$64,720	60
Maryland nonmetropolitan area	$62,560	80
Maryland	$62,560	240
New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ	$61,320	450
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV	$61,140	120
Denver-Aurora-Centennial, CO	$59,910	50
Chambersburg, PA	$59,110	30
Minnesota	$57,830	360
Kentucky	$57,590	2,400
Jefferson City, MO	$57,420	60
New Jersey	$57,140	480
Southeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$57,040	360
Ames, IA	$56,850	70
Connecticut	$56,750	400
Minneapolis-St. Paul-Bloomington, MN-WI	$56,330	190
Wichita, KS	$54,070	90
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA	$53,930	80
Omaha, NE-IA	$53,710	240
Colorado	$53,580	120
Winston-Salem, NC	$53,580	80
Nebraska	$53,290	770
Green Bay, WI	$53,040	30
Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL	$52,980	90
Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX	$52,740	1,170
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA	$52,590	90
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA	$52,470	400
Northeast Iowa nonmetropolitan area	$52,380	160
Hartford-West Hartford-East Hartford, CT	$52,330	170
Iowa	$52,100	1,650
Allentown-Bethlehem-Easton, PA-NJ	$52,000	160
Saginaw, MI	$51,980	40
San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA	$51,590	320
Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA	$51,460	80
Oregon	$51,390	160
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA	$51,260	330
Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington, TX	$51,220	530
Texas	$51,220	2,400
East South Dakota nonmetropolitan area	$50,920	170
South Dakota	$50,920	230
Columbus, OH	$50,750	270
Cedar Rapids, IA	$50,670	90
Nashville-Davidson--Murfreesboro--Franklin, TN	$50,410	610
Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH	$50,060	520
Massachusetts	$49,920	710

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average salary for a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?

The national median annual salary for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $47,060, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics data. This means half of workers in this occupation earn more, and half earn less.

Where do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenderss earn the most?

The highest-paying metro area for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenderss is Washington, with a median salary of $78,460.

How much can an experienced Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?

Top-earning Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenderss (90th percentile) make $66,190 or more annually. This typically reflects workers with significant experience, specialized skills, or positions in high-paying regions.