Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders: Salary, Job Outlook & How to Become One (2026 Parent Guide)

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders fall under the Production category in the U.S. occupational classification. Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn a median salary of $47,920 per year, ranking in the top 73% of all U.S. occupations. The Bureau of Labor Statistics projects -8.9% job growth through 2035, projected to lose jobs through 2035. 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 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn?

The median annual wage for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders is $47,920. That puts welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders at #600 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 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders a growing career?

The 10-year outlook for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders is -8.9%, projected to lose jobs through 2035. Employment is projected to move from approximately 32K positions in 2024 to 30K in 2034, a net change of <1K. A declining outlook does not mean the field is disappearing; it means automation, demographics, or substitution effects are shrinking the pool of openings. Students entering a declining field should plan for adjacent skills that transfer to growing roles.

What do welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders do every day?

According to O*NET task surveys of working welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders, these are the core responsibilities most professionals perform. This is what your teen would actually be doing in this role.

1. 1.Remove completed workpieces or parts from machinery, using hand tools.
2. 2.Clean, lubricate, maintain, and adjust equipment to maintain efficient operation, using air hoses, cleaning fluids, and hand tools.
3. 3.Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
4. 4.Mark weld points and positions of components on workpieces, using rules, squares, templates, or scribes.
5. 5.Conduct trial runs before welding, soldering, or brazing, and make necessary adjustments to equipment.
6. 6.Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
7. 7.Select, position, align, and bolt jigs, holding fixtures, guides, or stops onto machines, using measuring instruments and hand tools.
8. 8.Assemble, align, and clamp workpieces into holding fixtures to bond, heat-treat, or solder fabricated metal components.

Top skills for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders

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 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tender?

Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders 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.

Related careers your child might also consider

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• Cabinetmakers and Bench Carpenters
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Common questions parents ask about welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders