Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Salary in Dubuque, IA
In Dubuque, IA, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $51,590 at the median — $24.8 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $63K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 87.33), which stretches that salary to about $59,075 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,077/month — about 31.8% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $52K get you in Dubuque?
About welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Dubuque, IA
Entry-level welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $52K.Top earners bring in $63K or more - a $16K spread from bottom to top.
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hawaii | $77K | +51% | 570 |
| Alaska | $75K | +47% | 650 |
| Wyoming | $66K | +30% | 1,900 |
| Connecticut | $65K | +27% | 2,030 |
| Washington | $62K | +21% | 7,680 |
| Massachusetts | $62K | +21% | 3,080 |
| North Dakota | $60K | +18% | 2,720 |
| Louisiana | $60K | +17% | 12,360 |
| New Jersey | $60K | +17% | 3,300 |
| Nevada | $59K | +16% | 2,080 |
| Minnesota | $59K | +15% | 9,420 |
| District of Columbia | $59K | +15% | 330 |
| Oregon | $59K | +15% | 4,870 |
| Maine | $58K | +14% | 1,950 |
| California | $58K | +14% | 26,100 |
Track welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Dubuque numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in Dubuque, IA?
The median is $51,590 a year - that works out to about $24.8 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,820, and experienced welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers can clear $62,920. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $52K enough to live in Dubuque?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,415/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,077/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 31.5% of your paycheck. That's above the 30% rule of thumb - housing will be a stretch at the median salary, though you can manage with roommates or a smaller place.
How far does a welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers salary go in Dubuque?
Dubuque has a Regional Price Parity of 87.33 (100 is the national average). That's below average - your money stretches further here than the raw salary number suggests. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers salary is worth about $59,075 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers get paid the most?
The table above ranks every state by median pay for this role. Keep in mind that the highest-paying states tend to have the highest costs of living, so the top salary doesn't always mean the most money in your pocket.