Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in Ames, IA
In Ames, IA, welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $56,850 at the median — $27.33 an hour. The range runs from $48K at the entry level to $57K for experienced workers. Cost of living is below average (RPP 88.83), which stretches that salary to about $63,999 in buying power. A 2-bedroom apartment runs $1,153/month — about 30.9% of take-home, which is tight.
AffordMap analysis of BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (latest release, May 2024)
So what does $57K get you in Ames?
About welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders
Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, Ames, IA
Entry-level welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $48K. Mid-career wages sit at $57K.Top earners bring in $57K or more - a $8K spread from bottom to top.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders pay across states
Median income ranked highest to lowest, compared to the national figure
| State | Median salary | vs. national | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Washington | $78K | +67% | 70 |
| Alaska | $77K | +63% | 60 |
| Louisiana | $67K | +42% | 200 |
| Maryland | $63K | +33% | 240 |
| Minnesota | $58K | +23% | 360 |
| Kentucky | $58K | +22% | 2,400 |
| New Jersey | $57K | +21% | 480 |
| Connecticut | $57K | +21% | 400 |
| Nebraska | $53K | +13% | 770 |
| Iowa | $52K | +11% | 1,650 |
| Oregon | $51K | +9% | 160 |
| Texas | $51K | +9% | 2,400 |
| South Dakota | $51K | +8% | 230 |
| Massachusetts | $50K | +6% | 710 |
| Illinois | $49K | +4% | 200 |
Track welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when Ames numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in Ames, IA?
The median is $56,850 a year - that works out to about $27.33 an hour. The range is wide: entry-level workers start around $48,470, and experienced welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $56,850. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $57K enough to live in Ames?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,742/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $1,153/month (HUD Fair Market Rent), which eats 30.8% 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 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary go in Ames?
Ames has a Regional Price Parity of 88.83 (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 welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary is worth about $63,999 in national-average purchasing power.
Where do welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders 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.