Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earn a median salary of $51,000 per year, ranking in the top 60% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects +2.2% job growth through 2034, projected to grow slower than the US average. Entry into this field typically requires an apprenticeship, technical certification, or postsecondary training, with specific licensing or certification depending on the state and employer. For parents whose teenager is exploring this path, the most actionable step is mapping the education requirements to specific colleges and majors before junior year — not waiting until application season.

What do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn?

The median annual wage for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is $51,000. That puts welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers at #489 on the BLS ranked list of all U.S. occupations by median pay. This salary is around or below the U.S. median for individual workers, so career growth often depends on advancement into supervisory roles, specialization, or additional credentials. Actual pay varies meaningfully by state, employer type, and years of experience — entry-level salaries are typically 30–40% below the median, while top-decile earners often exceed it by 50% or more.

Is welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is +2.2%, projected to grow slower than the US average. Employment is projected to move from approximately 457K positions in 2024 to 467K in 2034, a net change of 10K. Flat growth typically reflects a mature, stable field. Most openings will come from retirements rather than new positions, which can favor candidates with strong networks and willingness to relocate.

What do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Detect faulty operation of equipment or defective materials and notify supervisors.
2. 2.Select and install torches, torch tips, filler rods, and flux, according to welding chart specifications or types and thicknesses of metals.
3. 3.Determine required equipment and welding methods, applying knowledge of metallurgy, geometry, and welding techniques.
4. 4.Melt and apply solder along adjoining edges of workpieces to solder joints, using soldering irons, gas torches, or electric-ultrasonic equipment.
5. 5.Monitor the fitting, burning, and welding processes to avoid overheating of parts or warping, shrinking, distortion, or expansion of material.
6. 6.Clean or degrease parts, using wire brushes, portable grinders, or chemical baths.
7. 7.Operate safety equipment and use safe work habits.
8. 8.Examine workpieces for defects and measure workpieces with straightedges or templates to ensure conformance with specifications.

Top skills for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

O*NET ranks these as the most important skills for this occupation, on a 1–5 importance scale derived from worker surveys.

What education does my child need to become welders, cutters, solderers, and brazer?

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers typically enter the field through a formal apprenticeship, technical certification, or vocational training program — a strong fit for teens who prefer hands-on learning over traditional college. For parents helping a teen prepare, the highest-leverage step before junior year is identifying colleges and programs that feed reliably into this occupation — Solyo's college search lets parents filter by major and admissions data side by side.

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Common questions parents ask about welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers