Nurse Practitioners 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?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn $78,210 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 153.4% higher. At the 90th percentile, Nurse Practitioners earns $169,950 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Nurse Practitioners$97,960 – $169,950
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$169,950
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Nurse Practitioners | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $97,960 | $38,130 | +$59,830 |
| 25th Percentile | $109,940 | $45,580 | +$64,360 |
| Median (50th) | $129,210 | $51,000 | +$78,210 |
| 75th Percentile | $149,570 | $61,610 | +$87,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $169,950 | $75,850 | +$94,100 |
| Mean (Average) | $132,000 | $55,100 | +$76,900 |
Employment Numbers
Nurse Practitioners
307,390
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Nurse Practitioners
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $225,730 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $220,330 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $164,520 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $164,510 |
| Riverside-San Bernardino-Ontario, CA | $162,470 |
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: Nurse Practitioners or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Nurse Practitioners professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $78,210 (153.4% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Nurse Practitioners?
Nurse Practitioners salaries range from $97,960 (10th percentile) to $169,950 (90th percentile), with a median of $129,210.
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 Nurse Practitioners and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 307,390 Nurse Practitioners 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 Nurse Practitioners?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Nurse Practitioners has a median salary of $129,210 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