Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in Rapid City, SD
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn a median of $51,690 a year ($24.85 an hour), based on BLS data for 200 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,000 for the top 10%. That is 4% lower than the national median of $53,750. Pay here is 5% higher than the South Dakota statewide median of $49,440. There are 2.8 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers per 1,000 jobs here — close to the national average. The average (mean) salary is $54,110, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Rapid City, SD
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,340 | $18.43 |
| 25th percentile | $44,300 | $21.30 |
| Median | $51,690 | $24.85 |
| 75th percentile | $63,160 | $30.36 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $71,000 | $34.13 |
| Average (mean) | $54,110 | $26.01 |
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 | $4,307.50 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,153.75 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,988.08 |
| Weekly | $994.04 |
| Hourly | $24.85 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $51,690 salary, see how much house you can afford in South Dakota 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $58,230 | 440 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $55,200 | 850 |
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 South Dakota statewide figures.
Related jobs in Rapid City, SD
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Machinist | $47,840 | $23.00 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $37,180 | $17.87 |
| Laundry and Dry-Cleaning Workers | $30,880 | $14.85 |
| Water and Wastewater Treatment Plant and System Operators | $57,780 | $27.78 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $70,290 | $33.79 |
| Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except Sawing | $37,920 | $18.23 |
| Mixing and Blending Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,850 | $22.53 |
| Electrical, Electronic, and Electromechanical Assemblers, Except Coil Winders, Tapers, and Finishers | $40,760 | $19.60 |
| Butchers and Meat Cutters | $37,060 | $17.82 |
| Coating, Painting, and Spraying Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $46,090 | $22.16 |
| Extruding, Forming, Pressing, and Compacting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders | $38,970 | $18.74 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $52,190 | $25.09 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $48,310 | $23.22 |
| Baker | $37,690 | $18.12 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Rapid City, SD
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 Rapid City, SD?
The median salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the Rapid City, SD metro area is $51,690 a year, or $24.85 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,340 for the lowest-paid 10% to $71,000 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in Rapid City, SD?
The top 10% of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in the Rapid City, SD metro area earn at least $71,000 a year. The top 25% earn $63,160 or more.
What is the starting pay for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Rapid City, SD?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,340 a year, and a quarter of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $44,300 or less.
How many welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers work in Rapid City, SD?
About 200 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are employed in the Rapid City, SD metro area, not counting the self-employed.