SalaryByCity

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)

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

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

$62,340

Median annual salary

632,430 employed nationally

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

$51,000

Median annual salary

424,040 employed nationally

Which Career Pays More?

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn $11,340 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 22.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses earns $80,510 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.

Salary Range Comparison

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses$47,960 – $80,510
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$80,510

Detailed Salary Comparison

PercentileLicensed Practical and Licensed Vocational NursesWelders, Cutters, Solderers, and BrazersDifference
10th Percentile$47,960$38,130+$9,830
25th Percentile$55,220$45,580+$9,640
Median (50th)$62,340$51,000+$11,340
75th Percentile$73,160$61,610+$11,550
90th Percentile$80,510$75,850+$4,660
Mean (Average)$64,150$55,100+$9,050

Employment Numbers

Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

632,430

employed nationwide

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers

424,040

employed nationwide

Top Paying Cities

Best Cities for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses

CityMedian
San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA$92,840
San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA$90,810
Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA$80,480
Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA$79,460
Portland-Vancouver-Hillsboro, OR-WA$78,870

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: Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $11,340 (22.2% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses salaries range from $47,960 (10th percentile) to $80,510 (90th percentile), with a median of $62,340.
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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 632,430 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses 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 Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Licensed Practical and Licensed Vocational Nurses has a median salary of $62,340 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