SOC 51-4121 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers — Northern New Mexico
Northern New Mexico nonmetropolitan area · 4 metro areas compared
In Northern New Mexico, NM the median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers reaches $70,860 a year.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Northern New Mexico, NM the median wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers reaches $70,860 a year. That is 31.8% more than the national median of $53,750. Pay ranges from under $36,970 at the tenth percentile to more than $75,050 at the ninetieth, with the interquartile range running from $36,970 to $75,050.
The area has 90 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.42 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Farmington records the highest median at $57,440. Of the 273 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 94th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,970 | −31.2% |
| 25th | $36,970 | −31.2% |
| Median (50th) | $70,860 | +31.8% |
| 75th | $75,050 | +39.6% |
| 90th | $75,050 | +39.6% |
| Mean | $59,650 | +11.0% |
Other 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 Northern New Mexico run 7.8% below the national average, so the median of $70,860 goes as far as $76,855 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 43.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$70,860as reported by BLSLocal price level
92.2US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$76,855US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $70,860 a year, 31.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,970 to $75,050 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 90 jobs in 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 Northern New Mexico, NM?
The median annual wage is $70,860, or $34.07 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 Northern New Mexico, NM is 31.8% 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 Northern New Mexico, NM earns more than $75,050 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,970 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 90 jobs in this occupation in Northern New Mexico, NM. 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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