Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Career, Salary and Skills
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders have a BLS-reported national median annual wage of $47,920 based on the 2025 OEWS dataset, with reported national employment of 31,600. Wage data is published for 173 locations.
Occupation description
Set up, operate, or tend welding, soldering, or brazing machines or robots that weld, braze, solder, or heat treat metal products, components, or assemblies. Includes workers who operate laser cutters or laser-beam machines.
O*NET code
51-4122.00
Job zone
2
Typical education
Post-Secondary Certificate
Experience
Over 6 months, up to and including 1 year
National salary and employment
Median annual
$47,920
Hourly median
$23.04
Employment
31,600
Data year
2025
National salary distribution
$36,860
10th
$40,560
25th
$47,920
Median
$57,390
75th
$66,540
90th
Top skills
| Skill | Importance | Level |
|---|---|---|
| Operations Monitoring | 3.38 | 3.12 |
| Operation and Control | 3.25 | 3.00 |
| Monitoring | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Active Listening | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Reading Comprehension | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Critical Thinking | 3.00 | 3.00 |
| Complex Problem Solving | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Speaking | 3.00 | 2.88 |
| Judgment and Decision Making | 2.75 | 2.75 |
| Coordination | 2.62 | 2.62 |
Typical tasks
- Inspect, measure, or test completed metal workpieces to ensure conformance to specifications, using measuring and testing devices.
- Record operational information on specified production reports.
- Correct problems by adjusting controls or by stopping machines and opening holding devices.
- Set up, operate, or tend welding machines that join or bond components to fabricate metal products or assemblies.
- Select torch tips, alloys, flux, coil, tubing, or wire, according to metal types or thicknesses, data charts, or records.
- Lay out, fit, or connect parts to be bonded, calculating production measurements, as necessary.
- Prepare metal surfaces or workpieces, using hand-operated equipment, such as grinders, cutters, or drills.
- Read blueprints, work orders, or production schedules to determine product or job instructions or specifications.
Technology
- Email software
- Linux
- Microsoft Excel
- Microsoft Office software
- Microsoft Outlook
- Microsoft PowerPoint
- Microsoft Windows
- Microsoft Word
- SAP software
- Tool center point TCP setting software
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by location
Areas with the highest reported employment for this occupation.
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in MIMedian $42,530 · Employment 3,150
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in INMedian $43,960 · Employment 2,840
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in CAMedian $48,940 · Employment 2,290
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in OHMedian $48,190 · Employment 2,190
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in TNMedian $47,180 · Employment 1,950
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in TXMedian $51,310 · Employment 1,750
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in IAMedian $51,740 · Employment 1,310
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in ALMedian $40,050 · Employment 1,250
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Detroit, MIMedian $44,060 · Employment 1,190
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in WIMedian $57,640 · Employment 1,150
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in PAMedian $47,530 · Employment 1,120
- Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in KYMedian $50,740 · Employment 1,000
Related careers
- Tool and Die MakersNational median $64,050
- Heat Treating Equipment Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $48,750
- Electric Motor, Power Tool, and Related RepairersNational median $56,210
- Cutting and Slicing Machine Setters, Operators, and TendersNational median $46,570
- MachinistsNational median $58,750
- Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $46,330
- Woodworking Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Except SawingNational median $43,380
- Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and PlasticNational median $47,720
Career and skills data: O*NET 31.0 (onetcenter.org). Salary and employment data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, 2025 (bls.gov/oes). Figures are published survey estimates, not real-time market data.