Civil Engineers vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Which Career Pays More?
Civil Engineers professionals earn $48,590 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 95.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Civil Engineers earns $160,990 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Civil Engineers$65,920 – $160,990
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$160,990
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Civil Engineers | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $65,920 | $38,130 | +$27,790 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,790 | $45,580 | +$33,210 |
| Median (50th) | $99,590 | $51,000 | +$48,590 |
| 75th Percentile | $128,290 | $61,610 | +$66,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $160,990 | $75,850 | +$85,140 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,050 | $55,100 | +$51,950 |
Employment Numbers
Civil Engineers
355,410
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Civil Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $130,310 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $129,260 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $126,560 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $109,250 |
| Providence-Warwick, RI-MA | $108,010 |
Best Cities for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| 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: Civil Engineers or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Civil Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $48,590 (95.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Civil Engineers?
Civil Engineers salaries range from $65,920 (10th percentile) to $160,990 (90th percentile), with a median of $99,590.
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 Civil Engineers and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 355,410 Civil Engineers 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 Civil Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Civil Engineers has a median salary of $99,590 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