Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Salary in Lake Charles, LA
In Lake Charles, LA, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $63,760 at the median — $30.66 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $88K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 85.85), which stretches that salary to about $74,269 in buying power. Rent on a 2-bedroom averages $1,217/month, or 29% of estimated take-home pay.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $64K get you in Lake Charles?
About welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Lake Charles, LA
Entry-level welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $64K.Top earners bring in $88K or more - a $40K 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 Lake Charles numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in Lake Charles, LA?
The median is $63,760 a year - that works out to about $30.66 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,850, and experienced welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers can clear $88,120. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $64K enough to live in Lake Charles?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $4,259/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,217/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 28.6% of your paycheck. That's under the 30% guideline most financial planners use, so the numbers work.
How far does a welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers salary go in Lake Charles?
Lake Charles has a Regional Price Parity of 85.85 (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 $74,269 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.