SOC 51-4121 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — New Mexico
New Mexico · 4 metro areas compared
The median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in New Mexico is $59,840 per year, 11.3% above the national median of $53,750.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in New Mexico is $59,840 per year, 11.3% above the national median of $53,750. Half of workers earn between $44,750 and $82,550. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,860 and the ninetieth at $92,760.
The area has 2,390 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 2.7 of every thousand jobs. New Mexico ranks number 16th out of 51 states by median pay for this occupation. Within the state, Farmington records the highest median at $57,440. Of the 634 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 302nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,860 | −31.4% |
| 25th | $44,750 | −16.7% |
| Median (50th) | $59,840 | +11.3% |
| 75th | $82,550 | +53.6% |
| 90th | $92,760 | +72.6% |
| Mean | $63,720 | +18.5% |
Highest-paying metro areas in New Mexico
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Farmington | $57,440 | 500 | |
| 2 | Santa Fe | $52,820 | 30 | |
| 3 | Albuquerque | $49,980 | 510 | |
| 4 | Las Cruces | $47,520 | 80 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $59,840 goes as far as $64,902 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 20.7% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$59,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$64,902US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $59,840 a year, 11.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,860 to $92,760 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 2,390 jobs in this occupation.
- It ranks 16th of 51 states for this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Farmington, at $57,440.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in New Mexico?
The median annual wage is $59,840, or $28.77 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 New Mexico is 11.3% 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 New Mexico earns more than $92,760 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,860 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 Farmington, at $57,440 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 2,390 jobs in this occupation in New Mexico. 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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