Cost Estimators 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?
Cost Estimators professionals earn $26,070 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 51.1% higher. At the 90th percentile, Cost Estimators earns $128,640 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Cost Estimators$46,330 – $128,640
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$128,640
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Cost Estimators | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $46,330 | $38,130 | +$8,200 |
| 25th Percentile | $59,830 | $45,580 | +$14,250 |
| Median (50th) | $77,070 | $51,000 | +$26,070 |
| 75th Percentile | $99,630 | $61,610 | +$38,020 |
| 90th Percentile | $128,640 | $75,850 | +$52,790 |
| Mean (Average) | $83,160 | $55,100 | +$28,060 |
Employment Numbers
Cost Estimators
219,530
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Cost Estimators
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $104,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $103,030 |
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $97,990 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $86,540 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $86,300 |
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: Cost Estimators or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Cost Estimators professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $26,070 (51.1% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Cost Estimators?
Cost Estimators salaries range from $46,330 (10th percentile) to $128,640 (90th percentile), with a median of $77,070.
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 Cost Estimators and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 219,530 Cost Estimators 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 Cost Estimators?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Cost Estimators has a median salary of $77,070 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