Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in South Dakota
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in South Dakota earn a median of $49,440 a year ($23.77 an hour), based on BLS data for 3,250 workers.
Pay ranges from $38,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,380 for the top 10%. That is 8% lower than the national median of $53,750. South Dakota ranks 45th of 51 states for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers pay. There are 7.1 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.7× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $51,980, above the median because a few high earners pull it up.
Pay range for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Dakota
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,100 | $18.32 |
| 25th percentile | $45,710 | $21.98 |
| Median | $49,440 | $23.77 |
| 75th percentile | $59,360 | $28.54 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $63,380 | $30.47 |
| Average (mean) | $51,980 | $24.99 |
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 | $4,120 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,060 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $1,901.54 |
| Weekly | $950.77 |
| Hourly | $23.77 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $49,440 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 cities in South Dakota
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $58,230 | 440 |
| Sioux Falls, SD-MN | $55,200 | 850 |
| Rapid City, SD | $51,690 | 200 |
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 South Dakota
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 South Dakota?
The median salary for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Dakota is $49,440 a year, or $23.77 an hour. Pay ranges from $38,100 for the lowest-paid 10% to $63,380 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in South Dakota?
The top 10% of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Dakota earn at least $63,380 a year. The top 25% earn $59,360 or more.
What is the starting pay for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in South Dakota?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $38,100 a year, and a quarter of welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $45,710 or less.
How many welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers work in South Dakota?
About 3,250 welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers are employed in South Dakota, not counting the self-employed.