Best States for Welders, Cutters, Solderers & Brazers

Ranked by median salary, with cost-of-living adjustments. Find where welders, cutters, solderers & brazers earn the most and have the best purchasing power.

+8.2% projected growth

Much faster than average (national avg: +4%, +4.2pp)

State Rankings

Rank	State	Median	COL-Adjusted	Employment
1	HawaiiHI	$76,970	$64,518	570
2	AlaskaAK	$75,140	$71,290	650
3	WyomingWY	$66,070	$68,967	1,900
4	ConnecticutCT	$64,520	$60,074	2,030
5	WashingtonWA	$61,730	$57,530	7,680
6	MassachusettsMA	$61,710	$55,846	3,080
7	North DakotaND	$60,270	$64,946	2,720
8	LouisianaLA	$59,860	$65,780	12,360
9	New JerseyNJ	$59,630	$52,723	3,300
10	NevadaNV	$59,370	$59,251	2,080
11	MinnesotaMN	$58,730	$59,443	9,420
12	District of ColumbiaDC	$58,700	$50,085	330
13	OregonOR	$58,590	$57,953	4,870
14	MaineME	$58,340	$58,870	1,950
15	CaliforniaCA	$57,940	$51,184	26,100
16	New HampshireNH	$57,700	$53,976	1,040
17	VermontVT	$57,520	$55,682	340
18	VirginiaVA	$57,350	$55,411	10,690
19	New YorkNY	$57,230	$49,507	7,810
20	ColoradoCO	$57,200	$54,476	4,470
21	Rhode IslandRI	$57,000	$56,604	2,350
22	DelawareDE	$56,510	$55,511	510
23	MarylandMD	$56,420	$51,431	3,190
24	UtahUT	$56,050	$57,136	4,230
25	WisconsinWI	$55,630	$59,689	16,820
26	ArizonaAZ	$53,770	$55,036	7,630
27	New MexicoNM	$52,460	$55,868	2,350
28	MontanaMT	$51,280	$53,140	1,340
29	PennsylvaniaPA	$50,860	$52,004	16,060
30	NebraskaNE	$50,550	$55,549	3,990
31	North CarolinaNC	$49,860	$53,383	12,020
32	TexasTX	$49,830	$51,637	56,650
33	IllinoisIL	$49,730	$50,232	17,340
34	MississippiMS	$49,490	$58,019	6,570
35	MissouriMO	$49,460	$55,448	10,270
36	IowaIA	$49,450	$55,067	9,250
37	FloridaFL	$49,430	$49,430	16,390
38	OhioOH	$49,410	$54,416	20,110
39	KentuckyKY	$49,260	$55,348	7,360
40	IdahoID	$49,190	$50,869	3,300
41	South CarolinaSC	$49,120	$53,978	7,600
42	KansasKS	$49,040	$54,248	6,310
43	MichiganMI	$48,930	$52,556	13,640
44	OklahomaOK	$48,490	$54,422	9,780
45	IndianaIN	$48,460	$53,136	13,260
46	South DakotaSD	$48,340	$52,831	3,480
47	GeorgiaGA	$48,000	$51,557	14,030
48	TennesseeTN	$47,280	$51,672	12,610
49	AlabamaAL	$47,170	$53,663	12,570
50	ArkansasAR	$47,100	$54,200	7,240
51	West VirginiaWV	$47,000	$53,653	2,280

Analysis

The top three states for welders, cutters, solderers & brazers by median salary are Hawaii, Alaska, and Wyoming. However, when adjusted for cost of living, the rankings may shift — states with lower living costs can offer greater real purchasing power even with lower nominal salaries.

Explore by State

Click any state to see detailed salary data, metro breakdowns, and career information.