Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers pay in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin

In Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL), the median pay for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers is $25.31 an hour ($52,650 a year). About 9,320 people work in this job there.

$25.31Median hourly pay

$46,270–$61,750Middle half of workers, yearly

9,320People in this job in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

That is 2% lower than the U.S. median ($53,750). It is 3% higher than the Illinois median ($51,320).

Pay range for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Earns more than	Hourly	Yearly
10% of workers	$18.81	$39,130
25% of workers	$22.24	$46,270
Half of workers (median)	$25.31	$52,650
75% of workers	$29.69	$61,750
90% of workers	$35.79	$74,450

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers pay in Illinois metro areas

Metro area	Median yearly pay	People in this job
Peoria	$58,960	1,230
Decatur	$57,670	200
Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (this page)	$52,650	9,320
Rockford	$50,200	870
Springfield	$49,860	100
Champaign-Urbana	$48,610	100
Kankakee	$47,460	230
Bloomington	$47,180	70

Illinois unemployment rate: 4.7% (August 2026), U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Education, experience and outlook for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers

Typical education to start: High school diploma or equivalent (BLS)
Related work experience most have: 1 to 2 years (O*NET)
Training on the job: Moderate-term on-the-job training (BLS)
Job outlook: +2.4% over ten years, about as fast as average · about 40,300 openings a year (BLS)

Related jobs in Chicago-Naperville-Elgin (IL)

Job	Median yearly pay
Tool and Die Makers	$61,180
Structural Metal Fabricators and Fitters	$68,280
Machinists	$59,520
Molding, Coremaking, and Casting Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,590
Cutting, Punching, and Press Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$50,770
Multiple Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$45,030
Grinding, Lapping, Polishing, and Buffing Machine Tool Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$46,420
Extruding and Drawing Machine Setters, Operators, and Tenders, Metal and Plastic	$48,630

Other job titles for this job

Robotic WelderWelding TechnicianDipperBoiler WelderWirerUnderwater WelderConnectorScrap CutterSteel CutterAcetylene BurnerAcetylene CutterAcetylene Operator

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025 estimates. Figures are for wage and salary workers and do not include the self-employed. The median is the middle wage: half earn more, half earn less. Other job titles: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.