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Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers: Who Earns More?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers out-earn Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers by $21K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers land at $53,750 and First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers at $74,450. The education gap is real: welders, cutters, solderers, and brazer programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while first-line supervisors of production and operating worker programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers is Alaska ($80,840); for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers it's Wyoming ($90,390).

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Median salary
$53,750
$74,450
Hourly rate
$25.84/hr
$35.79/hr
Entry level (10th %)
$39,240
$47,130
Senior level (90th %)
$77,530
$108,750
Education required
High school diploma or equivalent
High school diploma or equivalent
U.S. employment
416,210
673,430
Job growth (10-year)
2.2%
1.2%
Category
Production & Manufacturing
Production & Manufacturing
Top-paying state
Alaska
Wyoming

Pay by state

States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers median pay.

State
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers
Alaska
$80,840
$77,960
Connecticut
$64,880
$83,150
Wyoming
$63,820
$90,390
Washington
$63,020
$79,310
Massachusetts
$62,570
$79,920
New Hampshire
$62,360
$79,310
Maine
$62,220
$78,970
Maryland
$60,310
$78,520
Minnesota
$60,280
$78,550
District of Columbia
$60,180
$80,030
New Jersey
$59,440
$81,110
New York
$59,140
$78,580
Colorado
$58,590
$78,890
Delaware
$57,270
$79,100
Rhode Island
$50,580
$81,650

Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.

Common questions

Who earns more, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers earn more nationally. The median is $53,750 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers versus $74,450 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers, a difference of $21K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.

Which has better job growth, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers has the better 10-year outlook at 2.2% projected growth, compared to 1.2% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.

Which requires more education, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers or First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers?

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.

Where do Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers get paid the most?

Alaska is the top-paying state for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers at $80,840/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.

How does Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers vs. First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers pay differ by state?

The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earn $80,840 vs. $77,960 for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.

Full Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salary breakdownView →Full First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers salary breakdownView →Best cities for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers by take-home payExplore →Best cities for First-Line Supervisors of Production and Operating Workers by take-home payExplore →How to become a welders, cutters, solderers, and brazersGuide →How to become a first-line supervisors of production and operating workersGuide →