SalaryByCity

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

$102,610

Median annual salary

199,800 employed nationally

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

$51,000

Median annual salary

424,040 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn $51,610 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 101.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers earns $166,960 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.

Salary Range Comparison

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers$60,690 – $166,960
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$166,960

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileSoftware Quality Assurance Analysts and TestersWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersDifference
10th Percentile$60,690$38,130+$22,560
25th Percentile$79,520$45,580+$33,940
Median (50th)$102,610$51,000+$51,610
75th Percentile$131,870$61,610+$70,260
90th Percentile$166,960$75,850+$91,110
Mean (Average)$110,260$55,100+$55,160

Employment Numbers

Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

199,800

employed nationwide

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

424,040

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$165,700
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$139,580
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$131,640
Baltimore-Columbia-Towson, MD$127,940
Washington-Arlington-Alexandria, DC-VA-MD-WV$126,430

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: Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $51,610 (101.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers salaries range from $60,690 (10th percentile) to $166,960 (90th percentile), with a median of $102,610.
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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 199,800 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers 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 Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Quality Assurance Analysts and Testers has a median salary of $102,610 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