What Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers do
The U.S. Department of Labor's O*NET database describes the work of Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers this way: "Use hand-welding, flame-cutting, hand-soldering, or brazing equipment to weld or join metal components or to fill holes, indentations, or seams of fabricated metal products."
The core tasks O*NET records for this occupation include: "Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions"; "Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits"; "Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications"; "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"; "Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys".
Education, experience and training
According to the BLS Employment Projections, the typical education needed to enter this occupation is high school diploma or equivalent. Typical on-the-job training to reach competency is moderate-term on-the-job training.
Job outlook for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
The Bureau of Labor Statistics counted 437,700 jobs in this occupation in 2025 and projects 448,100 in 2035, an increase of 10,400 jobs (+2.4%). That is slower than the 3.5% projected for all occupations.
About 40,300 openings a year are projected on average, counting both new positions and positions vacated by workers who retire or switch occupations. Relative to today's employment that is 9.2% a year, against 10.3% for all occupations. BLS lists a national median annual wage of $53,750, compared with $50,980 for all occupations.
Where Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earn the most
Across the 3 states with published data, the employment-weighted average of local median wages for this occupation ranges from $51,187 in Indiana to $54,002 in Texas, a gap of $2,816 (1.06 times). 1 of those 3 states average above the BLS national median of $53,750 and 2 average at or below it.
Texas employs the most people in this occupation among the states covered, 50,470, which is 52.5% of the 96,080 counted across them. Indiana follows with 26,090.
Highest-paying states
Texas ($54,002), Illinois ($52,258) and Indiana ($51,187) lead the ranking, while Indiana ($51,187) and Illinois ($52,258) are at the bottom. The table below lists every state with a link to its county-level detail.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: pay against the cost of living
We compare 4 labor markets, each represented by its most populous county. After federal, Social Security, Medicare and state taxes and the four basics (a one-bedroom rental, food, home energy and gasoline), the largest yearly margin is in Harris County, TX (Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX) at $26,484. The smallest margin is $13,591 in Cook County, IL.
The median wage for this occupation covers all four basics in 4 of the 4 markets. A one-bedroom apartment takes between 31.1% and 50.9% of take-home pay, depending on the market.
Occupations related to Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Other occupations in the same SOC minor group (51-4000) include Machinists and Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic.
Frequently asked questions about Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
How much do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earn in the United States?
BLS lists a national median annual wage of $53,750. Across the states covered here the average local median ranges from $51,187 to $54,002.
Which state pays Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers the most?
Texas, with an employment-weighted average local median wage of $54,002. Illinois is next at $52,258.
Is Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers a growing occupation?
BLS projects employment to grow by 2.4% between 2025 and 2035, compared with 3.5% for all occupations, with about 40,300 openings a year.
What education do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers need?
The typical entry-level education is high school diploma or equivalent and moderate-term on-the-job training, according to BLS.
Where can Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers afford to live best?
Among the markets covered, Harris County, TX leaves the largest yearly margin after taxes, rent, food, energy and gasoline: $26,484 on a median wage of $57,940.