SalaryByCity

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)

Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

$49,670

Median annual salary

688,840 employed nationally

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

$51,000

Median annual salary

424,040 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals earn $1,330 more per year than Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics professionals — that's 2.7% higher. At the 90th percentile, Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics earns $80,850 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.

Salary Range Comparison

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics$33,660 – $80,850
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$33,660$80,850

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileAutomotive Service Technicians and MechanicsWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersDifference
10th Percentile$33,660$38,130$-4,470
25th Percentile$38,140$45,580$-7,440
Median (50th)$49,670$51,000$-1,330
75th Percentile$65,660$61,610+$4,050
90th Percentile$80,850$75,850+$5,000
Mean (Average)$55,260$55,100+$160

Employment Numbers

Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

688,840

employed nationwide

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

424,040

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$77,260
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$74,590
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$64,930
Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA$63,590
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$62,970

Best Cities for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

CityMedian
Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT$69,120
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$67,560
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$64,510
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$63,890
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA$62,800

Frequently Asked Questions

Who earns more: Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $1,330 (2.7% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics salaries range from $33,660 (10th percentile) to $80,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $49,670.
What is the salary range for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers salaries range from $38,130 (10th percentile) to $75,850 (90th percentile), with a median of $51,000.
How many Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 688,840 Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics positions and 424,040 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers positions nationwide according to 2024 BLS data.
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers to Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Automotive Service Technicians and Mechanics has a median salary of $49,670 while Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers earns $51,000. Consider job satisfaction, growth prospects, required education, and work-life balance.

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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS