Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn a median of $54,470 a year ($26.19 an hour), based on BLS data for 50 workers.
Pay ranges from $47,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,620 for the top 10%. That is 14% higher than the national median of $47,920. Pay here is 5% higher than the Iowa statewide median of $51,740. There are 0.56 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders per 1,000 jobs here — the job is 2.8× more common than nationally. The average (mean) salary is $54,180, close to the median.
Pay range for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Pay level | Yearly | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $47,150 | $22.67 |
| 25th percentile | $47,190 | $22.69 |
| Median | $54,470 | $26.19 |
| 75th percentile | $55,860 | $26.85 |
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,620 | $30.10 |
| Average (mean) | $54,180 | $26.05 |
Half of welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders 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 | $4,539.17 |
| Semi-monthly (24 a year) | $2,269.58 |
| Biweekly (26 a year) | $2,095 |
| Weekly | $1,047.50 |
| Hourly | $26.19 |
Based on a full-time year of 2,080 hours. Convert any amount with the hourly to salary converter.
Buying a home? On a $54,470 salary, see how much house you can afford in Iowa at today's mortgage rates, or work out a payment with the mortgage calculator.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary in other metro areas nearby
| Metro area | Median salary | Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Omaha, NE-IA | $55,450 | 170 |
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $52,980 | 260 |
| Sioux City, IA-NE-SD | $51,320 | 60 |
| Davenport-Moline-Rock Island, IA-IL | $51,000 | 90 |
| Dubuque, IA | $49,930 | 30 |
| Cedar Rapids, IA | $49,920 | 60 |
Highest-paying states for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders
| State | Median salary |
|---|---|
| Arizona | $70,150 |
| Alaska | $62,700 |
| Washington | $58,990 |
| Illinois | $58,840 |
| Oregon | $58,650 |
| Wisconsin | $57,640 |
| Minnesota | $57,560 |
| Nebraska | $57,280 |
| Missouri | $56,210 |
| New Jersey | $53,680 |
See Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay in every state or the Iowa statewide figures.
Related jobs in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
| Job | Median salary | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | $51,080 | $24.56 |
| Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $50,400 | $24.23 |
| Machinist | $58,100 | $27.93 |
| Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $55,550 | $26.71 |
| Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,430 | $23.77 |
| Tool and Die Makers | $65,590 | $31.53 |
| Foundry Mold and Coremakers | $54,920 | $26.40 |
| Metal-Refining Furnace Operators and Tenders | $60,020 | $28.85 |
| Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $49,600 | $23.85 |
| Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic | $40,300 | $19.38 |
| Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators | $50,310 | $24.19 |
| Computer Numerically Controlled Tool Operator | $51,600 | $24.81 |
| Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers | $51,250 | $24.64 |
| First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers | $75,370 | $36.24 |
More: Production Occupations · all salaries in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 estimates, occupation code 51-4122. 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 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The median salary for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area is $54,470 a year, or $26.19 an hour. Pay ranges from $47,150 for the lowest-paid 10% to $62,620 for the top 10%.
How much do the highest-paid welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
The top 10% of welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area earn at least $62,620 a year. The top 25% earn $55,860 or more.
What is the starting pay for welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
Entry-level pay (the 10th percentile) is about $47,150 a year, and a quarter of welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $47,190 or less.
How many welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders work in Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA?
About 50 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders are employed in the Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA metro area, not counting the self-employed.