Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders Salary in California
In California, welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders earn $47,180 at the median — $22.68 an hour. The range runs from $38K at the entry level to $69K for experienced workers.
Statewide average. Salary and cost of living vary significantly across California. Jump to a metro for precise data:
So what does $47K get you in California?
About welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders
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Compensation breakdown
Annual earnings by percentile, California
Entry-level welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders (10th percentile) start around $38K. Mid-career wages sit at $47K. Top earners bring in $69K or more, a $31K spread from bottom to top.
Welding, Soldering, and Brazing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders salary by metro in California
7 metro areas with BLS data, ranked by median pay
| Metro area | Median salary | vs. state | Employment |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom | $54K | +14% | 80 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara | $52K | +11% | 400 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Fremont | $52K | +9% | 320 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad | $48K | +1% | 190 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim | $45K | -5% | 830 |
| Oxnard-Thousand Oaks-Ventura | $44K | -7% | 80 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario | $41K | -14% | 200 |
Compare to other states
Track welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary changes
BLS updates this data quarterly. We'll email you when California numbers change.
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Frequently asked questions
How much do welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders make in California?
The median is $47,180 a year, that works out to about $23 an hour. But the range is wide: entry-level workers start around $37,840, and experienced welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders can clear $69,330. These are BLS numbers, based on employer-reported data, not self-reported surveys.
Is $47K enough to live in California?
On that salary, you'd take home roughly $3,236/month after taxes. A 2-bedroom here rents for about $2,471/month, which eats 76.4% 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 California?
California has a Regional Price Parity of 100 (100 is the national average). That's right at the national average. After cost-of-living adjustment, the median welding, soldering, and brazing machine setters, operators, and tenders salary is worth about $44,451 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.