SOC 51-4122 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Des Moines
Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Des Moines, IA is $52,980 per year, 10.6% above the national median of $47,920.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Des Moines, IA is $52,980 per year, 10.6% above the national median of $47,920. Half of workers earn between $48,080 and $58,570. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $36,510 and the ninetieth at $63,260.
Employment stands at 260, or 0.6 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Waterloo records the highest median at $54,470. Of the 508 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 311th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $36,510 | −23.8% |
| 25th | $48,080 | +0.3% |
| Median (50th) | $52,980 | +10.6% |
| 75th | $58,570 | +22.2% |
| 90th | $63,260 | +32.0% |
| Mean | $51,690 | +7.9% |
Other metro areas in Iowa
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Waterloo | $54,470 | 50 | |
| 2 | Sioux City | $51,320 | 60 | |
| 3 | Davenport | $51,000 | 90 | |
| 4 | Dubuque | $49,930 | 30 | |
| 5 | Cedar Rapids | $49,920 | 60 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Des Moines run 12.2% below the national average, so the median of $52,980 goes as far as $60,342 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 25.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$52,980as reported by BLSLocal price level
87.8US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$60,342US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $52,980 a year, 10.6% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $36,510 to $63,260 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 260 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Waterloo, at $54,470.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Des Moines, IA?
The median annual wage is $52,980, or $25.47 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 $47,920, so pay in Des Moines, IA is 10.6% 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 Des Moines, IA earns more than $63,260 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $36,510 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 Waterloo, at $54,470 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 260 jobs in this occupation in Des Moines, IA. 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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