Illinois Median
$51,320
per year
Hourly Rate
$24.67
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
-5% vs US median
US median $53,750
State Rank
#34 of 51
16,260 employed here
How much do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers make in Illinois?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Illinois take home a median of $51,320 annually — roughly $24.67 an hour — which runs 5% below the national median of $53,750.
Within Illinois, entry-level pay starts around $38,890 while the top 10% make $76,730 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $46,500 and $61,520 a year.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary range in Illinois
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,890 | $18.70 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $46,500 | $22.36 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $51,320 | $24.67 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $61,520 | $29.58 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $76,730 | $36.89 |
|
How Illinois compares
Illinois ranks 34th 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 $58,380California $58,060Delaware $57,270Montana $55,610Arizona $55,600Iowa $55,090Texas $53,340Pennsylvania $52,900Nebraska $52,220Missouri $51,950Kentucky $51,470Mississippi $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 Illinois
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 Illinois pay ($51,320) 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 Illinois?
The median Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in Illinois is $51,320 per year, or about $24.67 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,890 at the entry level to $76,730 for the top 10% of earners.
How does Illinois pay compare to the national average?
Illinois pays Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers about 5% less than the national median of $53,750. Illinois ranks 34th out of 51 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is Illinois a good state for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Pay runs below the national median here, at $51,320 a year. About 16,260 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers are employed in Illinois. A lower cost of living can offset the smaller paycheck, so compare take-home value, not just salary.
What are the highest-paying jobs in Illinois?
The highest-paying occupations in Illinois include Cardiologist ($517,850), Surgeon, All Other ($438,010), Dermatologist ($435,750), 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.