SOC 51-4122 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — Elkhart
Elkhart-Goshen, IN · 5 metro areas compared
The median wage here is $47,840 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $47,920.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage here is $47,840 a year, within a few percent of the national median of $47,920. Half of workers earn between $38,450 and $47,850. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $38,210 and the ninetieth at $50,740.
The area has 240 jobs in this occupation, which works out to 1.9 of every thousand jobs. South Bend leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $46,460. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 183rd of 307 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,210 | −20.3% |
| 25th | $38,450 | −19.8% |
| Median (50th) | $47,840 | −0.2% |
| 75th | $47,850 | −0.1% |
| 90th | $50,740 | +5.9% |
| Mean | $45,290 | −5.5% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | South Bend | $46,460 | 60 | |
| 2 | Lafayette | $46,370 | 40 | |
| 3 | Fort Wayne | $44,670 | 70 | |
| 4 | Evansville | $44,240 | 50 | |
| 5 | Indianapolis | $38,970 | 550 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Elkhart run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $47,840 goes as far as $51,275 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 7.0% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$47,840as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$51,275US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $47,840 a year, 0.2% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,210 to $50,740 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 240 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is South Bend, at $46,460.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in Elkhart, IN?
The median annual wage is $47,840, or $23.00 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 Elkhart, IN is 0.2% 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 Elkhart, IN earns more than $50,740 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,210 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 South Bend, at $46,460 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 240 jobs in this occupation in Elkhart, IN. 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.
Explore related data