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.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
SOC: 51-4121 O*NET: 51-4121.00
Median Salary
$51,000
per year
Job Growth
➡️ 2.2%
Average (2024-2034)
Annual Openings
45.6
projected jobs/year
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Job Zone 2
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.
What does a Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers do?
How much can you earn?
Entry Level
$38,130
10th percentile
Early Career
$45,580
25th percentile
Median
$51,000
50th percentile
Experienced
$61,610
75th percentile
Top Earners
$75,850
90th percentile
National Salary Distribution
10th
$38,130
25th
$45,580
Middle 50%
MEDIAN
$51,000
Mean: $55,100
75th
$61,610
90th
$75,850
Middle 50% of earners
Median salary
Mean (average)
Key Insights
- •Salary range spans $37,720 from entry level to top earners
- •Middle 50% earn between $45,580 and $61,610
- •Salary spread is 31.4% around the median, showing moderate variation
- •Total national employment: 424,040 professionals
What's the job outlook?
Job Market Intelligence
Medium Demand
Market demand
Medium Risk
Automation risk
Current Employment
National Employment:457,300
Top Industries
Manufacturing65.7%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing26.2%
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing (3323 and 3324 only)16.5%
10-Year Outlook
Growth Rate:+2.2%
Annual Openings:45,600
Employment Projections
2024 (Current)457,300
Current
2034 (Projected)467,200
+2.2%
+9,900
Employment Change
+2.2%
Growth Rate
10
Year Projection
Growth Category: As fast as average
Geographic Salary & Employment Data
Explore where Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals work across the United States
Showing 15 of 50 locations
Texas
56,650 jobs$49,8301.49x
California
26,100 jobs$57,9400.53x
Ohio
20,110 jobs$49,4101.32x
Illinois
17,340 jobs$49,7301.04x
Wisconsin
16,820 jobs$55,6302.09x
Florida
16,390 jobs$49,4300.61x
Pennsylvania
16,060 jobs$50,8600.97x
Georgia
14,030 jobs$48,0001.05x
Michigan
13,640 jobs$48,9301.13x
Indiana
13,260 jobs$48,4601.51x
Tennessee
12,610 jobs$47,2801.40x
Alabama
12,570 jobs$47,1702.19x
Louisiana
12,360 jobs$59,8602.35x
North Carolina
12,020 jobs$49,8600.89x
Virginia
10,690 jobs$57,3500.96x
Understanding the Data
Location Quotient (LQ):
- • LQ > 1.0: More jobs than national average
- • LQ = 1.0: Same as national average
- • LQ < 1.0: Fewer jobs than national average
Data Source:
Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024
Key Growth Factors
- •Average growth expected
What skills do you need?
Top 10 Most Important Skills
#1
Quality Control Analysis
100%
#2
Monitoring
40%
Skills Overview
Quality Control Analysis
advanced5.0
100%
Monitoring
basic2.0
40%
Skills are rated on a scale of 0-5, with 5 being the most important. The complexity level indicates how advanced the skill typically needs to be.
Filter:
Sort by:
Quality Control Analysis
advancedImportance100%
skills
5.0/5.0
Monitoring
basicImportance40%
skills
2.0/5.0
Highly Transferable Skills
These skills are valuable across multiple career paths, making career transitions easier:
Packers and Packagers, Hand50%
1 shared skills
Sewing Machine Operators50%
1 shared skills
Carpet Installers33%
2 shared skills
Cleaners of Vehicles and Equipment33%
1 shared skills
Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders33%
2 shared skills
Foundry Mold and Coremakers33%
1 shared skills
Skills by Career Stage
Entry Level
Mid Career
Expected:
- ✓Quality Control Analysis
Senior Level
Mastery Required:
- ★Quality Control Analysis
Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on developing the top 5 skills first - they have the highest impact on career success
- •Transferable skills open doors to related careers and provide flexibility
- •Balance technical skills with soft skills for well-rounded professional development
- •Entry-level positions prioritize foundational skills that can be built upon over time
What technology will you use?
Technology & Digital Skills
Essential technology proficiencies for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Technology Intensity
High
Digital Literacy Requirements
This career requires advanced digital literacy
1
Basic
2
Intermediate
3
Advanced
4
Expert
Key Digital Competencies:
Proficiency with specialized softwareTechnical documentationData analysis toolsSystem integration
🔥
Hot Technologies in Demand
These technologies are currently trending and highly sought after in this field
Oracle Database
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Outlook
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Office software
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Windows
🔥 Hot TechMicrosoft Excel
🔥 Hot TechTechnology Stack
Technology Stack Overview
Key technologies used in this career
Oracle Database
Microsoft Outlook
Microsoft Office software
Microsoft Windows
Microsoft Excel
📚 Technology Learning Resources
Recommended Certifications
- •Vendor-specific software certifications
- •Industry-recognized technology credentials
- •Professional development courses
Online Learning Platforms
- •LinkedIn Learning - Comprehensive technology courses
- •Coursera - University-level programs
- •Udemy - Practical skills training
💡 Technology Skill Development Tips
- •Focus on mastering hot technologies first - they're currently most in-demand
- •Build a portfolio demonstrating your proficiency with key tools and software
- •Stay current through continuous learning - technology evolves rapidly
- •Consider vendor certifications to validate your skills to employers
What's the work environment like?
🏢
Location
MOSTLY INDOOR
💪
Physical Demand
MODERATE
👥
Team Orientation
SOME TEAM
🤝
Customer Interaction
FREQUENT
💡Is This Work Environment Right for You?
Consider these factors when evaluating if you'll thrive in this work environment:
- •Are you comfortable working in mostly indoor environments?
- •Can you meet moderate physical demands?
- •Do you enjoy some team team environments?
- •Are you comfortable working with safety protocols and protective equipment?
What are the key tasks?
Tasks & Responsibilities
21
Core Tasks
8
Daily Tasks
20
Work Activities
0
Emerging Tasks
Filter:
Sort by:
General Responsibilities (16)Operations & Execution (2)Documentation & Record-Keeping (1)Planning & Development (1)Management & Supervision (1)
1
Weld components in flat, vertical, or overhead positions.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities100% perform100%
2
Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution97% perform98%
3
Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities94% perform96%
4
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.
🔴Daily
Importance:
Operations & Execution91% perform94%
5
Weld separately or in combination, using aluminum, stainless steel, cast iron, and other alloys.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities88% perform92%
6
Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities85% perform90%
7
Ignite torches or start power supplies and strike arcs by touching electrodes to metals being welded, completing electrical circuits.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities82% perform88%
8
Connect and turn regulator valves to activate and adjust gas flow and pressure so that desired flames are obtained.
🔴Daily
Importance:
General Responsibilities79% perform86%
9
Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities76% perform84%
10
Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
🟡Weekly
Importance:
General Responsibilities73% perform82%
💡 Key Takeaways
- •Daily tasks focus primarily on general responsibilities activities
- •33% of tasks are performed by most workers in this occupation
- •Career advancement brings increased leadership and strategic responsibilities
What career paths are available?
Career Pathways
0
Advancement Opportunities
0
Lateral Move Options
0%
Avg. Salary Increase
Advancement Opportunities
Typical career progression paths from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
💡 Career Planning Tips
- •Most successful advancement happens after 3-5 years of experience
- •Lateral moves can provide valuable cross-functional experience for future leadership roles
- •Focus on developing skills that are transferable across multiple career paths
- •Consider industry trends when planning long-term career moves
Is this career right for you?
Personality & Values Fit
Is This Career Right for You?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals typically have a RCI Holland code and highly value support
RRealistic
CConventional
IInvestigative
Important Personality Traits
Work styles that contribute to success as a Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Attention to Detail
Very ImportantAttention to Detail
Importance Level4.25
Dependability
Very ImportantDependability
Importance Level4.04
Cooperation
ImportantCooperation
Importance Level3.82
Initiative
ImportantInitiative
Importance Level3.81
Self-Control
ImportantSelf-Control
Importance Level3.78
Integrity
ImportantIntegrity
Importance Level3.75
Complete Work Styles Profile
Attention to Detail
4.3
Dependability
4.0
Cooperation
3.8
Initiative
3.8
Self-Control
3.8
Integrity
3.8
Persistence
3.7
Achievement/Effort
3.7
Independence
3.6
Leadership
3.5
💡 Tips for Career Fit Success
- •While personality fit is important, skills can be developed with practice and training
- •Consider informational interviews to better understand the day-to-day personality requirements
- •Work environments vary by employer - research specific companies for cultural fit
- •Your interests and values may evolve - reassess periodically throughout your career
What education is required?
Education Level
High school diploma or equivalent
Typical duration: High school diploma or GED
Preparation Level
Job Zone 2
Some Preparation Needed
Experience Needed
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
📚 Education Requirement
Required Level:High school diploma or equivalent
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Training:
Training of a few months to a year
💼 Experience Requirement
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience may be helpful
Common pathways to gain experience:
- • Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experience
- • Vocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)
- • Industry certifications helpful
2
Job Zone Two: Some Preparation Needed
These occupations usually require a high school diploma and may require some vocational training or job-related course work.
Some previous work-related skill, knowledge, or experienceVocational school programs (6 months to 2 years)Industry certifications helpful
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