Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median $47,920 a year nationally. Production Occupations
What welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders do
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies.
- Typical education
- High school diploma or equivalent
- Work experience
- None required
- On-the-job training
- Moderate-term on-the-job training
- Job outlook, 2025–35
- -8.9% (declining)
- Openings per year
- 2,500
- Self-employed
- 4%
Employment of welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders is projected to shrink 8.9% from 2025 to 2035, slower than the 3.5% average for all occupations. About 2,500 openings are expected each year, on average, including jobs left by workers who retire or switch careers.
Source: BLS Standard Occupational Classification and Employment Projections, 2025–35.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders take-home pay calculator
Starts at the national median. Pick your state to see your real paycheck.
- Federal income tax$3,570
- Social Security (6.2%)$2,971
- Medicare (1.45%)$695
- Texas income tax$0
- Take-home pay$40,684
Marginal rate: 12% federal + 0.00% state
Pay by experience
| Percentile | Salary | Hourly | Take-home (no state tax) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $36,860 | $17.72 | $31,797 |
| 25th percentile | $40,560 | $19.50 | $34,770 |
| Median (50th) | $47,920 | $23.04 | $40,684 |
| 75th percentile | $57,390 | $27.59 | $48,293 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $66,540 | $31.99 | $55,641 |
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by state
| State | Median | 1-yr change | Take-home | Range | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Arizona | $70,150 | +46.1% | $56,636 | $46,390 – $96,720 | 280 |
| Alaska | $62,700 | −18.4% | $52,559 | $62,400 – $95,560 | 50 |
| Washington | $58,990 | −24.8% | $49,578 | $40,860 – $95,210 | 50 |
| Illinois | $58,840 | +20.7% | $46,690 | $43,830 – $92,680 | 180 |
| Oregon | $58,650 | +14.1% | $45,003 | $44,510 – $81,200 | 250 |
| Wisconsin | $57,640 | +19.7% | $46,739 | $44,370 – $67,730 | 1,150 |
| Minnesota | $57,560 | −0.5% | $46,039 | $44,640 – $76,880 | 670 |
| Nebraska | $57,280 | +7.5% | $46,478 | $48,210 – $66,540 | 650 |
| Missouri | $56,210 | +17.7% | $45,640 | $40,440 – $71,090 | 560 |
| New Jersey | $53,680 | −6.1% | $43,894 | $36,620 – $64,860 | 510 |
| South Dakota | $52,520 | +3.1% | $44,380 | $43,620 – $61,370 | 150 |
| New York | $52,080 | +11.1% | $41,811 | $40,660 – $77,140 | 740 |
| Iowa | $51,740 | −0.7% | $42,439 | $42,950 – $62,330 | 1,310 |
| Texas | $51,310 | +0.2% | $43,408 | $35,970 – $72,440 | 1,750 |
| Idaho | $50,850 | +6.9% | $41,451 | $38,320 – $70,160 | 100 |
| Kentucky | $50,740 | −11.9% | $41,291 | $39,410 – $66,850 | 1,000 |
| Massachusetts | $50,480 | +1.1% | $40,437 | $38,580 – $66,630 | 480 |
| Rhode Island | $50,040 | +9.1% | $41,128 | $41,260 – $65,800 | 160 |
| Colorado | $49,860 | −6.9% | $40,757 | $40,930 – $64,970 | 100 |
| Virginia | $49,160 | +3.9% | $39,667 | $37,470 – $62,510 | 410 |
| California | $48,940 | +3.7% | $39,881 | $40,130 – $69,760 | 2,290 |
| Louisiana | $48,740 | −26.9% | $40,267 | $31,050 – $81,810 | 320 |
| Maine | $48,410 | +7.2% | $38,991 | $45,100 – $57,930 | 60 |
| Ohio | $48,190 | +0.8% | $40,358 | $37,710 – $68,880 | 2,190 |
| Connecticut | $47,900 | −15.6% | $39,437 | $37,680 – $76,260 | 590 |
| Nevada | $47,870 | +3.3% | $40,644 | $33,830 – $77,690 | 170 |
| North Carolina | $47,580 | +2.0% | $39,021 | $36,600 – $65,680 | 820 |
| Pennsylvania | $47,530 | +2.1% | $38,911 | $37,940 – $63,100 | 1,120 |
| New Hampshire | $47,500 | +3.1% | $40,346 | $40,080 – $60,700 | 290 |
| Tennessee | $47,180 | +3.5% | $40,089 | $35,400 – $54,080 | 1,950 |
| Maryland | $47,110 | −24.7% | $38,159 | $36,080 – $65,130 | 430 |
| Arkansas | $46,880 | +7.3% | $38,232 | $35,720 – $59,530 | 210 |
| Kansas | $46,710 | +1.8% | $37,905 | $38,060 – $67,370 | 160 |
| West Virginia | $46,460 | +0.2% | $38,147 | $37,160 – $78,080 | 120 |
| South Carolina | $46,260 | +1.4% | $37,731 | $36,180 – $69,770 | 340 |
| Georgia | $45,850 | +5.4% | $37,264 | $36,770 – $59,310 | 840 |
| Indiana | $43,960 | +12.8% | $36,235 | $36,910 – $62,400 | 2,840 |
| Michigan | $42,530 | +5.1% | $34,796 | $35,480 – $55,830 | 3,150 |
| Florida | $41,420 | +4.1% | $35,461 | $36,870 – $56,380 | 740 |
| Utah | $40,600 | −14.2% | $33,941 | $34,850 – $52,710 | 120 |
| Oklahoma | $40,400 | −3.3% | $33,369 | $36,590 – $51,590 | 460 |
| Alabama | $40,050 | +7.3% | $32,623 | $30,230 – $60,410 | 1,250 |
| Mississippi | $37,390 | −9.9% | $31,459 | $33,470 – $57,820 | 480 |
| Montana | $35,670 | — | $29,921 | $29,790 – $63,140 | — |
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Frequently asked questions
How much does a welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders make?
The national median salary for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $47,920 a year ($23.04 an hour). The lowest-paid 10% earn under $36,860 and the top 10% earn over $66,540. Source: BLS, May 2025.
Which state pays welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Arizona has the highest median pay at $70,150.
How many welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders are there in the U.S.?
About 31,600 people work as welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders nationwide.