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Occupation · SOC 51-4121

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

There are 416,210 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $53,750 a year. The most jobs are in Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TX.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
416,210
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$53,750
Median pay a year
Middle half: $46,790–$63,010
40,300
Annual openings
10-year change: +2.4%
0
LCA filings, last 4 quarters

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 382 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $57,940 · LCA filings 015,850$57,9400
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $51,630 · LCA filings 010,620$51,6300
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INMedian pay $52,650 · LCA filings 09,320$52,6500
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $56,160 · LCA filings 07,850$56,1600
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $61,680 · LCA filings 05,780$61,6800
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZMedian pay $56,540 · LCA filings 05,440$56,5400
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GAMedian pay $49,630 · LCA filings 05,240$49,6300
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDMedian pay $58,380 · LCA filings 04,630$58,3800
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WIMedian pay $61,880 · LCA filings 04,600$61,8800
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $51,810 · LCA filings 04,580$51,8100

Metro areas with the highest median pay

Median pay for this occupation in each metro area, May 2025.

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Lima, OHEmployment 470 · LCA filings 0$85,7904700
Urban Honolulu, HIEmployment 430 · LCA filings 0$81,1204300
Fairbanks–College, AKEmployment 70 · LCA filings 0$80,210700
Baton Rouge, LAEmployment 3,690 · LCA filings 0$78,1703,6900
Hartford–West Hartford–East Hartford, CTEmployment 670 · LCA filings 0$75,0406700

Prevailing wage levels (H-1B and PERM)

The minimum yearly wage by level. Level I is entry level and Level IV is fully competent; an H-1B employer must pay at least the level that fits the job.

Metro areaLevel ILevel IILevel IIILevel IV
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $50,877 · Level III $59,446 · Level IV $68,037$42,286$50,877$59,446$68,037
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $49,067 · Level III $55,827 · Level IV $62,587$42,307$49,067$55,827$62,587
Chicago–Naperville–Elgin, IL–INLevel II $49,067 · Level III $56,118 · Level IV $63,149$42,037$49,067$56,118$63,149
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $52,499 · Level III $60,050 · Level IV $67,579$44,970$52,499$60,050$67,579
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $57,658 · Level III $67,330 · Level IV $77,002$47,986$57,658$67,330$77,002
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZLevel II $52,541 · Level III $59,904 · Level IV $67,246$45,198$52,541$59,904$67,246
Atlanta–Sandy Springs–Roswell, GALevel II $47,674 · Level III $53,248 · Level IV $58,843$42,078$47,674$53,248$58,843
Philadelphia–Camden–Wilmington, PA–NJ–DE–MDLevel II $53,061 · Level III $60,570 · Level IV $68,099$45,531$53,061$60,570$68,099
Minneapolis–St. Paul–Bloomington, MN–WILevel II $56,909 · Level III $63,232 · Level IV $69,576$50,565$56,909$63,232$69,576
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $49,026 · Level III $55,827 · Level IV $62,650$42,203$49,026$55,827$62,650

Source: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027.

Related majors

Majors most closely related to this occupation. International graduates: 2024–25 academic year.

MajorInternational graduatesSTEM OPT
Precision Metal WorkingCIP 48.05OPT · up to 12 months261OPT · up to 12 months
Industrial Production Technologies/TechniciansCIP 15.06STEM OPT · up to 36 months719STEM OPT · up to 36 months

See Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in every metro area

All 382 metro areas, pay in each, related majors, schools in each job market, and employers with LCA filing history.

Employers with LCA filings for this occupation

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Related occupations · Production

Miscellaneous Assemblers and FabricatorsInspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and WeighersFirst-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating WorkersPackaging and Filling Machine Operators and TendersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All OtherMachinists

Sources: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 · BLS Employment Projections 2025-35 · U.S. Department of Labor LCA disclosure data, Apr 2025–Mar 2026 · IPEDS 2024–25. Prevailing wages: U.S. Department of Labor, OFLC Online Wage Library, July 2026–June 2027. Methodology