Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in California
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in California earn a median of $58,060 a year ($27.91 an hour), based on BLS data for 26,060 workers.
Pay ranges from $44,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,940 for the top 10%. That is 8% higher than the national median of $53,750. California ranks 24th of 51 states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers pay. There are 1.4 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is less common than nationally (location quotient 0.53). The average (mean) salary is $61,120, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $44,520 | $21.40 |
| 25th percentile | $48,480 | $23.31 |
| Median | $58,060 | $27.91 |
| 75th percentile | $70,400 | $33.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $81,940 | $39.40 |
| Average (mean) | $61,120 | $29.38 |
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 | $4,838.33 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,419.17 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,233.08 |
| Weekly | $1,116.54 |
| Hourly | $27.91 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $58,060 salary, see how much house you can afford in California at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in cities in California
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont, CA | $64,320 | 1,990 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $64,140 | 1,050 |
| Vallejo, CA | $63,860 | 280 |
| Napa, CA | $62,890 | 70 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $62,560 | 2,940 |
| El Centro, CA | $58,350 | 70 |
| Salinas, CA | $58,240 | 200 |
| Bakersfield-Delano, CA | $57,360 | 800 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $57,290 | 1,530 |
| Santa Rosa-Petaluma, CA | $56,720 | 260 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $56,160 | 7,850 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura, CA | $54,560 | 580 |
| San Luis Obispo-Paso Robles, CA | $53,280 | 180 |
| Santa Maria-Santa Barbara, CA | $52,800 | 170 |
| Modesto, CA | $52,590 | 450 |
| Redding, CA | $52,450 | 100 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $52,050 | 3,810 |
| Stockton-Lodi, CA | $51,480 | 740 |
| Yuba City, CA | $51,040 | 90 |
| Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA | $50,840 | 90 |
| Fresno, CA | $50,550 | 950 |
| Merced, CA | $50,340 | 310 |
| Chico, CA | $48,740 | 160 |
| Hanford-Corcoran, CA | $47,520 | 60 |
| Visalia, CA | $46,850 | 350 |
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.
Related jobs in California
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 California?
The median salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California is $58,060 a year, or $27.91 an hour. Pay ranges from $44,520 for the lowest-paid 10% to $81,940 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in California?
The top 10% of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California earn at least $81,940 a year. The top 25% earn $70,400 or more.
What is the starting pay for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in California?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $44,520 a year, and a quarter of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $48,480 or less.
How many welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers work in California?
About 26,060 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are employed in California, not counting the self-employed.