Careers ‐ Manufacturing ‐ SOC# 51-4121
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Your parents might have taught you that it’s not safe to play with fire. However, some people make an entire career out of (safely and responsibly) using fire! Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers are the metal-bending, heat-enduring heroes of the industrial world. The job title of Cutter is pretty self-explanatory, but what is the difference between the other three? Welding jobs involve fusing two or more metal pieces by directly melting the edges to form a permanent bond, while soldering and brazing jobs melt down a separate metal to fill gaps and “glue” larger pieces together.
Our world is built on metal. From towering skyscrapers to the tiny components in your phone, metal is everywhere, and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers will always be needed to keep it all together. If you think you can stand the heat, then soldering or welding jobs could be the right fit for you!
17.90%
Projected Growth
by 2030
As the Deep East Texas region and its population grows, the number of available welding jobs is expected to increase as well.
75
Openings in Our Region
According to the Texas BLS, there are approximately 75 openings for welding jobs in Deep East Texas. As the field expands, the typical welding salary can also be expected to grow with it.
$40,456.00
Salary (median/yr)
Training in welding pays off. Average salary for welders can be even higher for workers in high-demand industries like oil, gas and construction.
$19.45/hr
Median Hourly Wage
Different types of welders may receive different wages – for example, a pipeline welder salary may differ from an automotive welder salary. However, with the growing need for metalworkers, welding salaries should stay competitive.
$15.48/hr
Entry Level Wage
Entry-level welding jobs don’t usually require much experience, but some welding companies will pay more for workers with specialized skills or extra certifications.