Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Salary in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
In Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA, welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn $60,940 at the median — $29.3 an hour. The range runs from $47K at the entry level to $83K for experienced workers. Prices run high here (RPP 105.42), so that salary is closer to $57,807 in real purchasing power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,922/month — about 48.3% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $61K get you in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
About welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA
Entry-level welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers (10th percentile) start around $47K. Mid-career wages sit at $61K.Top earners bring in $83K or more - a $36K 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers make in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA?
The median is $60,940 a year - that works out to about $29.3 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $47,330, and experienced welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers can clear $82,930. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $61K enough to live in Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,850/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,922/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 49.9% 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 Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro?
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro has a Regional Price Parity of 105.42 (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 $57,807 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.