Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Salary in Ames, IA

BLS Occupational Employment & Wage Statistics • May 2025 • Ames, IA

Median annual salary $49,310 -3.3% vs national
Median hourly $23.71
10th percentile $38,750
90th percentile $62,050
Employed locally 260
National median $51,000

Compare Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary & buying power

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Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
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    Salary percentile breakdown

    10th
    $38,750
    25th
    $49,290
    50th (median)
    $49,310
    75th
    $57,650
    90th
    $62,050

    Ames economic context

    Unemployment rate 2.40% 2024 annual avg • BLS LAUS
    Median household income $71,090 2023 • Census ACS
    Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary vs area income 69% Median Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary is 31% below the area median household income

    Top-paying metros for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Fairbanks-College, AK $83,400
    Lima, OH $83,100
    Alaska nonmetropolitan area $78,450
    Balance of Nevada nonmetropolitan area $77,350
    Urban Honolulu, HI $77,350
    Hawaii $76,970

    Nearby metros — Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary comparison

    Metro areaMedian salary
    Alexandria, LA $62,210
    Virginia Beach-Chesapeake-Norfolk, VA-NC $60,700
    Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV $60,040
    Louisiana $59,860
    Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD $59,630
    District of Columbia $58,700

    Related occupations in Ames, IA

    OccupationMedian salary
    Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators $47,250
    Packaging and Filling Machine Operators and Tenders $47,630
    First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers $67,220
    Inspectors, Testers, Sorters, Samplers, and Weighers $59,950
    Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic $48,150
    Printing Press Operators $42,850

    Frequently asked questions

    How much do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers make per hour in Ames?

    The median hourly wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Ames, IA is $23.71, based on BLS OEWS 2025 data. Top earners (90th percentile) make $32.27 or more per hour.

    Is Ames above or below average for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salaries?

    The median Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary in Ames, IA is 3.3% below the national median of $51,000. The national figure is from BLS OEWS 2025 data covering all US metropolitan areas.

    What is the entry-level salary for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Ames?

    Entry-level Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers (10th percentile) earn around $38,750 per year in Ames, IA. The 25th percentile — typically workers with 1–3 years of experience — earn approximately $49,290.