Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Salary in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
In Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $54,900 at the median — $26.4 an hour. The range runs from $46K at the entry level to $75K for experienced workers. Adjusted for local prices (RPP 103.67), that's roughly $52,956 in purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,960/month — about 51.4% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $55K get you in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater?
About welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA
Entry-level welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (10th percentile) start around $46K. Mid-career wages sit at $55K.Top earners bring in $75K or more - a $29K 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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater numbers change.
Related careers in Production & Manufacturing
Frequently asked questions
How much do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater, WA?
The median is $54,900 a year - that works out to about $26.4 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $46,120, and experienced welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers can clear $75,200. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $55K enough to live in Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,846/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,960/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 51% 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 Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater?
Olympia-Lacey-Tumwater has a Regional Price Parity of 103.67 (100 is the national average). Prices are above average here, so your dollar buys less than the same salary would in a cheaper metro. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers salary is worth about $52,956 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.