Industrial 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?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn $50,140 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 98.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Industrial Engineers earns $157,140 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Industrial Engineers$70,000 – $157,140
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$157,140
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Industrial Engineers | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $70,000 | $38,130 | +$31,870 |
| 25th Percentile | $81,910 | $45,580 | +$36,330 |
| Median (50th) | $101,140 | $51,000 | +$50,140 |
| 75th Percentile | $127,480 | $61,610 | +$65,870 |
| 90th Percentile | $157,140 | $75,850 | +$81,290 |
| Mean (Average) | $107,900 | $55,100 | +$52,800 |
Employment Numbers
Industrial Engineers
350,230
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Industrial Engineers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| New Orleans-Metairie, LA | $139,130 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $136,290 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $133,790 |
| Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA | $126,530 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $126,310 |
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: Industrial Engineers or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Industrial Engineers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $50,140 (98.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Industrial Engineers?
Industrial Engineers salaries range from $70,000 (10th percentile) to $157,140 (90th percentile), with a median of $101,140.
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 Industrial Engineers and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 350,230 Industrial 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 Industrial Engineers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Industrial Engineers has a median salary of $101,140 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