Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary by State
Also called: Welding Machine Operators
The national median pay for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $47,920 a year. By state, it ranges from $35,670 in Montana to $70,150 in Arizona.
Updated October 2026 · Data: BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
U.S. pay range
- Lowest 10%
- $36,860
- 25th percentile
- $40,560
- Median
- $47,920
- 75th percentile
- $57,390
- Top 10%
- $66,540
Annual pay, all U.S. workers in this job. About 31,600 jobs.
Median pay in 44 states
| # | State | Median | vs. U.S. | Lowest 10% | Top 10% | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Arizona | $70,150 | +46% | $46,390 | $96,720 | 280 |
| 2 | Alaska | $62,700 | +31% | $62,400 | $95,560 | 50 |
| 3 | Washington | $58,990 | +23% | $40,860 | $95,210 | 50 |
| 4 | Illinois | $58,840 | +23% | $43,830 | $92,680 | 180 |
| 5 | Oregon | $58,650 | +22% | $44,510 | $81,200 | 250 |
| 6 | Wisconsin | $57,640 | +20% | $44,370 | $67,730 | 1,150 |
| 7 | Minnesota | $57,560 | +20% | $44,640 | $76,880 | 670 |
| 8 | Nebraska | $57,280 | +20% | $48,210 | $66,540 | 650 |
| 9 | Missouri | $56,210 | +17% | $40,440 | $71,090 | 560 |
| 10 | New Jersey | $53,680 | +12% | $36,620 | $64,860 | 510 |
| 11 | South Dakota | $52,520 | +10% | $43,620 | $61,370 | 150 |
| 12 | New York | $52,080 | +9% | $40,660 | $77,140 | 740 |
| 13 | Iowa | $51,740 | +8% | $42,950 | $62,330 | 1,310 |
| 14 | Texas | $51,310 | +7% | $35,970 | $72,440 | 1,750 |
| 15 | Idaho | $50,850 | +6% | $38,320 | $70,160 | 100 |
| 16 | Kentucky | $50,740 | +6% | $39,410 | $66,850 | 1,000 |
| 17 | Massachusetts | $50,480 | +5% | $38,580 | $66,630 | 480 |
| 18 | Rhode Island | $50,040 | +4% | $41,260 | $65,800 | 160 |
| 19 | Colorado | $49,860 | +4% | $40,930 | $64,970 | 100 |
| 20 | Virginia | $49,160 | +3% | $37,470 | $62,510 | 410 |
| 21 | California | $48,940 | +2% | $40,130 | $69,760 | 2,290 |
| 22 | Louisiana | $48,740 | +2% | $31,050 | $81,810 | 320 |
| 23 | Maine | $48,410 | +1% | $45,100 | $57,930 | 60 |
| 24 | Ohio | $48,190 | +1% | $37,710 | $68,880 | 2,190 |
| 25 | Connecticut | $47,900 | 0% | $37,680 | $76,260 | 590 |
| 26 | Nevada | $47,870 | 0% | $33,830 | $77,690 | 170 |
| 27 | North Carolina | $47,580 | −1% | $36,600 | $65,680 | 820 |
| 28 | Pennsylvania | $47,530 | −1% | $37,940 | $63,100 | 1,120 |
| 29 | New Hampshire | $47,500 | −1% | $40,080 | $60,700 | 290 |
| 30 | Tennessee | $47,180 | −2% | $35,400 | $54,080 | 1,950 |
| 31 | Maryland | $47,110 | −2% | $36,080 | $65,130 | 430 |
| 32 | Arkansas | $46,880 | −2% | $35,720 | $59,530 | 210 |
| 33 | Kansas | $46,710 | −3% | $38,060 | $67,370 | 160 |
| 34 | West Virginia | $46,460 | −3% | $37,160 | $78,080 | 120 |
| 35 | South Carolina | $46,260 | −3% | $36,180 | $69,770 | 340 |
| 36 | Georgia | $45,850 | −4% | $36,770 | $59,310 | 840 |
| 37 | Indiana | $43,960 | −8% | $36,910 | $62,400 | 2,840 |
| 38 | Michigan | $42,530 | −11% | $35,480 | $55,830 | 3,150 |
| 39 | Florida | $41,420 | −14% | $36,870 | $56,380 | 740 |
| 40 | Utah | $40,600 | −15% | $34,850 | $52,710 | 120 |
| 41 | Oklahoma | $40,400 | −16% | $36,590 | $51,590 | 460 |
| 42 | Alabama | $40,050 | −16% | $30,230 | $60,410 | 1,250 |
| 43 | Mississippi | $37,390 | −22% | $33,470 | $57,820 | 480 |
| 44 | Montana | $35,670 | −26% | $29,790 | $63,140 | Not published |
BLS OEWS May 2025 state estimates. States without published data are not listed. “Not published”: BLS withheld the value or it is above the highest amount BLS publishes. Pay is not adjusted for living costs.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary questions
Which state pays welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders the most?
Arizona, with a median of $70,150 a year (+46% vs. the national median of $47,920). BLS May 2025.
Which state pays welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders the least?
Montana, with a median of $35,670 a year (−26% vs. national).
Where do most welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders work?
Michigan has the most jobs, about 3,150, with a median of $42,530.
Does a higher salary mean more money left over?
Not always. These are pay figures only. Living costs, taxes and housing differ a lot between states, and this page does not adjust for them.