Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in Ames, IA
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the Ames, IA metro area earn a median of $58,560 a year ($28.15 an hour), based on BLS data for 170 workers.
Pay ranges from $40,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,110 for the top 10%. That is 9% higher than the national median of $53,750. Pay here is 6% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $55,090. There are 3.0 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $55,970, close to the median.
Pay range for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Ames, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $40,620 | $19.53 |
| 25th percentile | $49,250 | $23.68 |
| Median | $58,560 | $28.15 |
| 75th percentile | $60,310 | $28.99 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $67,110 | $32.27 |
| Average (mean) | $55,970 | $26.91 |
Half of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn more than the median and half earn less. Percentiles show the spread: 10% earn less than the 10th percentile, and 10% earn more than the 90th.
Median paycheck, before taxes
| Pay period | Amount |
|---|---|
| Monthly | $4,880 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,440 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,252.31 |
| Weekly | $1,126.15 |
| Hourly | $28.15 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,560 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $59,980 | 1,170 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $58,230 | 440 |
| Iowa City, IA | $57,780 | 130 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $56,750 | 560 |
| Dubuque, IA | $56,100 | 330 |
| Omaha, NE-IA | $53,110 | 1,060 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $51,080 | 540 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $48,630 | 1,240 |
Highest-paying states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Alaska | $80,840 |
| Hawaii | $79,000 |
| Connecticut | $64,880 |
| Wyoming | $63,820 |
| Washington | $63,020 |
| Massachusetts | $62,570 |
| New Hampshire | $62,360 |
| Louisiana | $62,250 |
| Maine | $62,220 |
| North Dakota | $62,000 |
See Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Ames, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,670 | $23.88 |
| Machinist | $60,200 | $28.94 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $49,360 | $23.73 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $74,160 | $35.65 |
| Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders | $48,250 | $23.20 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $61,820 | $29.72 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $36,110 | $17.36 |
| Printing Press Operator | $46,850 | $22.52 |
| Food Batchmaker | $50,950 | $24.50 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $52,020 | $25.01 |
| Baker | $36,520 | $17.56 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $39,080 | $18.79 |
| Chemical Equipment Operators and Tenders | $62,300 | $29.95 |
| Production Workers, All Other | $70,690 | $33.99 |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4121. Wages include base pay, tips, commissions and shift pay, but not overtime, bonuses or benefits, and exclude the self-employed.
Frequently asked questions
How much does a welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in Ames, IA?
The median salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the Ames, IA metro area is $58,560 a year, or $28.15 an hour. Pay ranges from $40,620 for the lowest-paid 10% to $67,110 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in Ames, IA?
The top 10% of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the Ames, IA metro area earn at least $67,110 a year. The top 25% earn $60,310 or more.
What is the starting pay for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Ames, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $40,620 a year, and a quarter of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $49,250 or less.
How many welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers work in Ames, IA?
About 170 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are employed in the Ames, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.