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Average Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Salary in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is a highly lucrative market for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazerss. With an average annual salary of $71,170, professionals here earn significantly more than the national norm.

Executive Summary

  • Average Salary: $71,170 per year.
  • Growth Trend: Salaries have shifted 17.7% over the last 5 years.
  • Top Earners: Senior professionals (90th percentile) earn up to $116,570.
  • Outlook: The current demand for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazerss is stable, with a local workforce of approximately 80 professionals. This role remains a specialized component of the broader Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA economy.
2024 Market Data

Salary Overview

$71,170

The average Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA earns+29.5%above the national average.

BreakdownBased on 40h/week
Hourly

$34.2

Weekly

$1,369

Monthly

$5,931

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Salary Distribution in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA

The earning potential for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazerss in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA varies significantly by experience level. There is a substantial income gap, with top earners (90th percentile) making over 2.6x the starting salary. This indicates strong career progression opportunities. Entry-level roles (10th percentile) typically start around $45,400, while highly experienced professionals can command wages upwards of $116,570.

Experience LevelMarket PercentileAnnual WageHourly Rate
ApprenticeLearning trade under supervision. Classroom + OJT.10% (Entry)$45,400$21.8
JourneymanLicensed/Certified. Works independently on standard tasks.25% (Junior)$53,378$25.7
Senior TechnicianHandles complex installations & troubleshooting.50% (Median)$57,920$27.8
Foreman / MasterSupervises crews, handles permits & code compliance.75% (Senior)$88,963$42.8
SuperintendentSite management, business owner, or master tradesman.90% (Expert)$116,570$56

Detailed Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Market Analysis

Relocation Context

Nominal Salary

$71,170

Gross Pay

Real Wage (Purchasing Power)

$71,170

Adjusted for COL (100)

In Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA, the Cost of Living Index is 100. This increases your effective purchasing power from $71,170 to $71,170.

Job Market Context

80

Total Jobs

0.812

Per 1K Jobs

0.3

Location Quotient

Low Concentration

At 0.30x, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA has a notably lower concentration of Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs than the national average. Opportunities in this area are relatively scarce for this profession.

80 people work as Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA.

Only 0.812 out of every 1,000 local jobs are Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers roles — this is a niche profession in the area.

Nearby Job Markets

Hiring Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazerss?

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers make in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

The median annual salary for a Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is $71,170. This typically ranges from $45,400 for entry-level positions to $116,570 for top-level roles.

How does the salary compare to the national average?

The average salary for this role in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 29.5% higher than the national median of $54,940.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazerss?

Yes, Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is financially attractive for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazerss. The average salary of $71,170 exceeds the national average. See distinct detailed breakdown below.

Is Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA a good place to live for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?

The Cost of Living Index in Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA is 100. While higher than average, this often correlates with higher wages.

Where are the highest paying cities near Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA?

Some top paying nearby cities include San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA ($74,750) and Salinas, CA.

Methodology: Salary data is derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS 2024 release. Figures represent gross pay before taxes. Analysis includes 80 employees in the Santa Cruz-Watsonville, CA area with a job density of 0.812 per 1,000 jobs. Cost of Living data is estimated based on state and metro averages.