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Occupation · SOC 51-4122

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

There are 31,600 jobs in the U.S. Median pay is $47,920 a year. The most jobs are in Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MI.

ProductionTypical education: High school diploma or equivalent
31,600
Jobs in the U.S.
People employed, May 2025
$47,920
Median pay a year
Middle half: $40,560–$57,390
2,500
Annual openings
10-year change: −8.9%
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical education to enter

Metro areas with the highest employment

10 of 126 metro areas with BLS data for this occupation. LCA filings: Apr 2025–Mar 2026.

Metro areaEmploymentMedian payLCA filings
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MIMedian pay $44,060 · LCA filings 01,190$44,0600
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CAMedian pay $45,990 · LCA filings 0830$45,9900
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MIMedian pay $41,760 · LCA filings 0730$41,7600
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNMedian pay $51,290 · LCA filings 0720$51,2900
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXMedian pay $54,500 · LCA filings 0700$54,5000
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INMedian pay $38,970 · LCA filings 0550$38,9700
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INMedian pay $50,740 · LCA filings 0460$50,7400
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJMedian pay $57,900 · LCA filings 0440$57,9000
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INMedian pay $46,280 · LCA filings 0420$46,2800
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXMedian pay $51,740 · LCA filings 0410$51,7400

Metro areas with the highest median pay

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

Metro areaMedian payEmploymentLCA filings
Tuscaloosa, ALEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$82,250400
Phoenix–Mesa–Chandler, AZEmployment 230 · LCA filings 0$75,2002300
New Orleans–Metairie, LAEmployment 60 · LCA filings 0$74,910600
Charleston–North Charleston, SCEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$66,570400
Norwich–New London–Willimantic, CTEmployment 40 · LCA filings 0$64,380400

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
Detroit–Warren–Dearborn, MILevel II $40,810 · Level III $46,405 · Level IV $52,021$35,194$40,810$46,405$52,021
Los Angeles–Long Beach–Anaheim, CALevel II $44,970 · Level III $49,338 · Level IV $53,706$40,602$44,970$49,338$53,706
Grand Rapids–Wyoming–Kentwood, MILevel II $39,270 · Level III $42,827 · Level IV $46,363$35,734$39,270$42,827$46,363
Nashville–Davidson––Murfreesboro––Franklin, TNLevel II $42,994 · Level III $47,570 · Level IV $52,146$38,418$42,994$47,570$52,146
Houston–Pasadena–The Woodlands, TXLevel II $50,066 · Level III $55,702 · Level IV $61,318$44,450$50,066$55,702$61,318
Indianapolis–Carmel–Greenwood, INLevel II $39,416 · Level III $42,328 · Level IV $45,261$36,483$39,416$42,328$45,261
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY–INLevel II $48,027 · Level III $52,125 · Level IV $56,202$43,950$48,027$52,125$56,202
New York–Newark–Jersey City, NY–NJLevel II $49,296 · Level III $56,243 · Level IV $63,170$42,370$49,296$56,243$63,170
Cincinnati, OH–KY–INLevel II $43,368 · Level III $46,925 · Level IV $50,482$39,811$43,368$46,925$50,482
Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington, TXLevel II $45,677 · Level III $51,896 · Level IV $58,115$39,458$45,677$51,896$58,115

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

See Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in every metro area

All 126 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 TendersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersBakersLaundry and Dry-Cleaning WorkersProduction Workers, All Other

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