Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators: Who Earns More?
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders out-earn Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators by $3K a year at the national median, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders land at $47,920 and Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators at $44,650. The education gap is real: welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tender programs typically require high school diploma or equivalent, while miscellaneous assemblers and fabricator programs require high school diploma or equivalent. Top-paying state for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders is Arizona ($70,150); for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators it's District of Columbia ($50,330).
Pay by state
States where both occupations have BLS data, sorted by Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders median pay.
Source: BLS OEWS May 2025. Highlighted value is higher in each row.
Common questions
Who earns more, Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn more nationally. The median is $47,920 for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders versus $44,650 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators, a difference of $3K. Per BLS OEWS May 2025.
Which has better job growth, Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators has the better 10-year outlook at -0.1% projected growth, compared to -9% for the other field. Both are from BLS Employment Projections.
Which requires more education, Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders or Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators?
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders typically requires high school diploma or equivalent. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators requires high school diploma or equivalent. Education requirements vary by employer and state licensing board.
Where do Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders get paid the most?
Arizona is the top-paying state for Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders at $70,150/year, per BLS OEWS May 2025. Major metro areas within that state typically pay even more than the state average.
How does Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders vs. Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators pay differ by state?
The gap varies significantly by state. In Alaska, Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders earn $62,700 vs. $49,390 for Miscellaneous Assemblers and Fabricators. See the state comparison table on this page for the full picture.