SOC 51-4121 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — Milwaukee
Milwaukee-Waukesha, WI · 10 metro areas compared
Median pay for this occupation in Milwaukee, WI comes to $59,390 a year, ahead of the national median of $53,750 by 10.5%.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
Median pay for this occupation in Milwaukee, WI comes to $59,390 a year, ahead of the national median of $53,750 by 10.5%. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $50,520 and $63,010. The lowest tenth earn under $48,190, while the highest tenth earn more than $72,370.
Employment stands at 3,400, or 4.1 jobs per thousand held locally. Fond du Lac leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $60,930. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 346th of 593 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $48,190 | −10.3% |
| 25th | $50,520 | −6.0% |
| Median (50th) | $59,390 | +10.5% |
| 75th | $63,010 | +17.2% |
| 90th | $72,370 | +34.6% |
| Mean | $58,700 | +9.2% |
Other metro areas in Wisconsin
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Fond du Lac | $60,930 | 230 | |
| 2 | Oshkosh | $60,720 | 540 | |
| 3 | Janesville | $60,000 | 520 | |
| 4 | Madison | $59,530 | 1,010 | |
| 5 | Sheboygan | $59,460 | 740 | |
| 6 | Racine | $59,200 | 370 | |
| 7 | Appleton | $58,920 | 970 | |
| 8 | Green Bay | $58,850 | 840 | |
| 9 | La Crosse | $58,800 | 300 | |
| 10 | Eau Claire | $58,110 | 350 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Milwaukee run 5.9% below the national average, so the median of $59,390 goes as far as $63,114 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 17.4% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,390as reported by BLSLocal price level
94.1US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$63,114US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,390 a year, 10.5% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $48,190 to $72,370 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 3,400 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Fond du Lac, at $60,930.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Milwaukee, WI?
The median annual wage is $59,390, or $28.55 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 Milwaukee, WI is 10.5% higher. 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 Milwaukee, WI earns more than $72,370 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $48,190 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 Fond du Lac, at $60,930 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 3,400 jobs in this occupation in Milwaukee, WI. 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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