California Median
$58,060
per year
Hourly Rate
$27.91
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+8% vs US median
US median $53,750
State Rank
#24 of 51
26,060 employed here
How much do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers make in California?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers working in California earn a median salary of $58,060 per year, or about $27.91 per hour. That is 8% above the national median of $53,750 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $44,520 while the top 10% make $81,940 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $48,480 and $70,400 a year.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,520 | $21.40 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $48,480 | $23.31 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $58,060 | $27.91 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $70,400 | $33.85 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,940 | $39.39 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in other states
Alaska $80,840Hawaii $79,000Connecticut $64,880Wyoming $63,820Washington $63,020Massachusetts $62,570New Hampshire $62,360Louisiana $62,250Maine $62,220North Dakota $62,000Nevada $61,520Vermont $60,890Maryland $60,310Minnesota $60,280District of Columbia $60,180New Mexico $59,840Oregon $59,450New Jersey $59,440Virginia $59,180New York $59,140Colorado $58,590Wisconsin $58,410Utah $58,380Delaware $57,270Montana $55,610Arizona $55,600Iowa $55,090Texas $53,340Pennsylvania $52,900Nebraska $52,220Missouri $51,950Kentucky $51,470Illinois $51,320Mississippi $51,100Florida $50,640North Carolina $50,590Rhode Island $50,580Idaho $50,530Ohio $50,340Michigan $49,990South Carolina $49,980Indiana $49,730Oklahoma $49,720South Dakota $49,440Kansas $49,410West Virginia $48,810Alabama $48,490Georgia $48,430Tennessee $48,040Arkansas $47,970
Working as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in California
Nationally, about 416,000 people work as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($58,060) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers make in California?
The median Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in California is $58,060 per year, or about $27.91 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $44,520 at the entry level to $81,940 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers about 8% more than the national median of $53,750. California ranks 24th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $58,060 a year. About 26,060 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.