SOC 51-4121 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — Chico
Chico, CA · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Chico, CA is $48,740 a year, trailing the national median of $53,750 by 9.3%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Chico, CA is $48,740 a year, trailing the national median of $53,750 by 9.3%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $46,380 and $58,850. The lowest tenth earn under $39,520, while the highest tenth earn more than $67,040.
The area has 160 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.0 of every thousand jobs. Within the state, San Francisco records the highest median at $64,320. Of the 286 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 184th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,520 | −26.5% |
| 25th | $46,380 | −13.7% |
| Median (50th) | $48,740 | −9.3% |
| 75th | $58,850 | +9.5% |
| 90th | $67,040 | +24.7% |
| Mean | $53,120 | −1.2% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | San Francisco | $64,320 | 1,990 | |
| 2 | San Jose | $64,140 | 1,050 | |
| 3 | Vallejo | $63,860 | 280 | |
| 4 | Napa | $62,890 | 70 | |
| 5 | San Diego | $62,560 | 2,940 | |
| 6 | El Centro | $58,350 | 70 | |
| 7 | Salinas | $58,240 | 200 | |
| 8 | Bakersfield | $57,360 | 800 | |
| 9 | Sacramento | $57,290 | 1,530 | |
| 10 | Santa Rosa | $56,720 | 260 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Chico run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $48,740 buys what $44,029 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 18.1% below the national median in real terms.
Published median
$48,740as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$44,029US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $48,740 a year, 9.3% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,520 to $67,040 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 160 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is San Francisco, at $64,320.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Chico, CA?
The median annual wage is $48,740, or $23.44 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $53,750, so pay in Chico, CA is 9.3% lower. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Chico, CA earns more than $67,040 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,520 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in San Francisco, at $64,320 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 160 jobs in this occupation in Chico, CA. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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