Fast Food and Counter Workers 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?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals earn $20,520 more per year than Fast Food and Counter Workers professionals — that's 67.3% higher. At the 90th percentile, Fast Food and Counter Workers earns $38,800 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Fast Food and Counter Workers$22,620 – $38,800
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$22,620$75,850
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Fast Food and Counter Workers | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $22,620 | $38,130 | $-15,510 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,150 | $45,580 | $-18,430 |
| Median (50th) | $30,480 | $51,000 | $-20,520 |
| 75th Percentile | $35,440 | $61,610 | $-26,170 |
| 90th Percentile | $38,800 | $75,850 | $-37,050 |
| Mean (Average) | $31,350 | $55,100 | $-23,750 |
Employment Numbers
Fast Food and Counter Workers
3,780,930
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Fast Food and Counter Workers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $42,660 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $40,470 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $38,310 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $37,650 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $36,480 |
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: Fast Food and Counter Workers or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $20,520 (67.3% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Fast Food and Counter Workers salaries range from $22,620 (10th percentile) to $38,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $30,480.
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 Fast Food and Counter Workers and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,780,930 Fast Food and Counter Workers 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 Fast Food and Counter Workers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Fast Food and Counter Workers has a median salary of $30,480 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