Jobs Similar to Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
The careers below use the most similar skills, knowledge and work activities to welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, according to O*NET 31.0. The closest are Layout Workers, Tire Builders and Foundry Mold and Coremakers.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: $53,750 median pay · usual preparation: High school.
Updated October 2026 · Data: O*NET 31.0 and BLS OEWS May 2025 · How we match careers
The 20 most similar careers
- 1Layout Workers, Metal and Plastic
81% similar · $63,870 (+19%) · High school · Same group
- 2Tire Builders
81% similar · $57,390 (+7%) · High school
- 3Foundry Mold and Coremakers
80% similar · $48,110 (−10%) · High school · Same group
- 4Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $46,170 (−14%) · High school
- 5Sewing Machine Operators
79% similar · $36,670 (−32%) · High school
- 6Terrazzo Workers and Finishers
79% similar · $76,170 (+42%) · High school
- 7Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers
79% similar · $58,970 (+10%) · High school
- 8Textile Bleaching and Dyeing Machine Operators and Tenders
79% similar · $38,180 (−29%) · High school
- 9Plating Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $43,960 (−18%) · High school · Same group
- 10Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters
79% similar · $51,330 (−5%) · High school
- 11Riggers
79% similar · $62,640 (+17%) · High school
- 12Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
79% similar · $46,330 (−14%) · High school · Same group
- 13Engine and Other Machine Assemblers
78% similar · $53,710 (0%) · High school
- 14Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers
78% similar · $48,220 (−10%) · High school
- 15Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers
78% similar · $48,570 (−10%) · High school
- 16Milling and Planing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic
78% similar · $52,800 (−2%) · High school · Same group
- 17Paper Goods Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
78% similar · $50,270 (−6%) · High school
- 18Model Makers, Wood
78% similar · $56,550 (+5%) · Training or associate
- 19Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders
78% similar · $47,920 (−11%) · High school · Same group
- 20Machine Feeders and Offbearers
78% similar · $41,220 (−23%) · High school
Similarity: weighted correlation of O*NET 31.0 transferable skills (35%), knowledge (25%), work activities (15%) and interests (15%). Pay and schooling do not change it. Pay change compares BLS May 2025 national medians; careers with only a broader BLS group wage are not compared. “Same group”: the same BLS occupation group (SOC minor group). Methodology
Similar jobs that pay more
Only careers that usually need no more preparation than welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers.
Thinking of a career change?
Similar is not the same as a good next step. Our career-change list for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers also weighs pay drops and extra schooling, and puts jobs outside the field first.
Jobs that can lead here
Careers where welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is one of the best career-change matches (match score in brackets).
- Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters (86)
- Tire Builders (81)
- Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (79)
- Reinforcing Iron and Rebar Workers (79)
- Sewing Machine Operators (79)
- Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters (78)
- Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers (78)
- Fiberglass Laminators and Fabricators (78)
- Furniture Finishers (78)
- Glass Blowers, Molders, Benders, and Finishers (78)
Questions about jobs like welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
What jobs are most similar to welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers?
By O*NET 31.0 data, the closest are Layout Workers (81% similar), Tire Builders (81% similar), Foundry Mold and Coremakers (80% similar), Molders, Shapers, and Casters, Except Metal and Plastic (79% similar) and Sewing Machine Operators (79% similar).
Which jobs like welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers pay more?
Among the 20 most similar careers, Terrazzo Workers and Finishers ($76,170, +42%; usually a high school diploma), Layout Workers ($63,870, +19%; usually a high school diploma) and Riggers ($62,640, +17%; usually a high school diploma) have the highest BLS median pay compared with welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers ($53,750). Without more preparation than welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers usually need: Terrazzo Workers and Finishers, Layout Workers and Riggers.
How is the similarity percentage worked out?
We compare how important each transferable skill, knowledge area, work activity and interest area is in both jobs (O*NET 31.0 ratings) with a weighted correlation. 100% would mean the same profile. Unlike our career-change matches, pay and extra schooling do not lower the similarity on this page.