Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
Production Occupations · 32K employed in the U.S.
Median annual
$47,920
Median hourly
$23
Average annual
$50,220
Typical range
$36,860–$66,540
Pay distribution
10th to 90th percentile, with the median marked.
What this role pays
The median annual salary for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $47,920 as of May 2025, based on the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey. That works out to about $23 an hour at a full-time schedule.
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..
Most earn between $36,860 and $66,540 a year. There are roughly 32K people employed as welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders in the United States. Use the state and metro pages below to see how pay changes by location, and the calculator to convert any hourly or annual figure.
Salary calculator
Convert your pay and see where it lands for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders.
- Hourly
- $23.04
- Daily
- $184
- Weekly
- $922
- Bi-weekly
- $1,843
- Monthly
- $3,993
- Annual
- $47,920
$47,920 a year is around the 50th percentile for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenderss. The median is $47,920.
Highest-paying states
Median annual wage by state.
- 1Arizona$70,150
- 2Alaska$62,700
- 3Washington$58,990
- 4Illinois$58,840
- 5Oregon$58,650
- 6Wisconsin$57,640
- 7Minnesota$57,560
- 8Nebraska$57,280
- 9Missouri$56,210
- 10New Jersey$53,680
- 11South Dakota$52,520
- 12New York$52,080
Top-paying metro areas
Median annual wage by metro area.
- 1Tuscaloosa, AL$82,250
- 2Phoenix-Mesa-Chandler, AZ$75,200
- 3New Orleans-Metairie, LA$74,910
- 4Charleston-North Charleston, SC$66,570
- 5Norwich-New London-Willimantic, CT$64,380
- 6Winston-Salem, NC$64,120
- 7Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY$61,700
- 8Boise City, ID$61,530
- 9St. Louis, MO-IL$60,600
- 10Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$60,180
- 11Green Bay, WI$58,890
- 12Asheville, NC$58,450
Related job titles
Employers advertise Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders roles under these titles.
- Arc and Gas Welder
- Arc Welding Machine Operator
- Billet Assembler
- Braze Operator
- Brazing Machine Operator
- Brazing Machine Setter
- Brazing Machine Setter Operator
- Brazing Machine Setup Operator
- Brazing Machine Tender
- Certified Welder
- Controlled Atmospheric Furnace Brazer
- Electron Beam Machine Welder Setter
- Electron Beam Welder Setter
- Electron Beam Welding Machine Operator
- Electroslag Welding Machine Operator
- Explosion Welder
Related occupations
- Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$53,750
- Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$52,800
- Aircraft Structure, Surfaces, Rigging, and Systems Assemblers$65,380
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters$51,330
- Lathe and Turning Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$50,620
- Industrial Machinery Mechanics$64,520
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing$43,380
- Forging Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic$49,030
What a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders does
- Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
- Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
- Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
- Turn and press knobs and buttons or enter operating instructions into computers to adjust and start welding machines.
- Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.
- Observe meters, gauges, or machine operations to ensure that soldering or brazing processes meet specifications.
- Devise or build fixtures or jigs used to hold parts in place during welding, brazing, or soldering.
- Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
Frequently asked questions
- How much does a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders make?
- The median annual wage for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is $47,920 ($23 per hour). Pay ranges from about $36,860 at the 10th percentile to $66,540 at the 90th percentile.
- What is the average salary for a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders?
- The average (mean) annual salary is $50,220, which is higher than the median because a small number of high earners pull the average up.
- Which state pays Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenderss the most?
- Arizona has the highest median annual wage for this occupation at $70,150.
- Is Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders a growing occupation?
- BLS employment data for May 2025 counts about 32K people in this occupation. Projected growth is published separately in the BLS Employment Projections program.
- What does a Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders do?
- Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.; Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.; Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary..