SOC 51-4122 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders — South Bend
South Bend-Mishawaka, IN-MI · 5 metro areas compared
At $46,460, median pay for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in South Bend, IN tracks the national median of $47,920 closely.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
At $46,460, median pay for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in South Bend, IN tracks the national median of $47,920 closely. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $39,530 and $61,050. The lowest tenth earn under $38,440, while the highest tenth earn more than $62,400.
Employment stands at 60, or 0.5 jobs per thousand held locally. Elkhart leads the state's metro areas for this occupation, at $47,840. Set against every other occupation measured in the same area, it ranks 261st of 387 by median pay.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $38,440 | −19.8% |
| 25th | $39,530 | −17.5% |
| Median (50th) | $46,460 | −3.0% |
| 75th | $61,050 | +27.4% |
| 90th | $62,400 | +30.2% |
| Mean | $49,990 | +4.3% |
Other metro areas in Indiana
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Elkhart | $47,840 | 240 | |
| 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 South Bend run 6.7% below the national average, so the median of $46,460 goes as far as $49,796 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way it compares to the national median at 3.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,460as reported by BLSLocal price level
93.3US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$49,796US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,460 a year, 3.0% below the national median.
- Published pay spans $38,440 to $62,400 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 60 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Elkhart, at $47,840.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders in South Bend, IN?
The median annual wage is $46,460, or $22.34 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 South Bend, IN is 3.0% 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 South Bend, IN earns more than $62,400 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $38,440 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 Elkhart, at $47,840 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 60 jobs in this occupation in South Bend, 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.
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