Registered Nurses 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?
Registered Nurses professionals earn $42,600 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 83.5% higher. At the 90th percentile, Registered Nurses earns $135,320 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Registered Nurses$66,030 – $135,320
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$135,320
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Registered Nurses | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $66,030 | $38,130 | +$27,900 |
| 25th Percentile | $78,610 | $45,580 | +$33,030 |
| Median (50th) | $93,600 | $51,000 | +$42,600 |
| 75th Percentile | $107,960 | $61,610 | +$46,350 |
| 90th Percentile | $135,320 | $75,850 | +$59,470 |
| Mean (Average) | $98,430 | $55,100 | +$43,330 |
Employment Numbers
Registered Nurses
3,282,010
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Registered Nurses
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,940 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $188,020 |
| Sacramento-Roseville-Folsom, CA | $169,210 |
| Los Angeles-Long Beach-Anaheim, CA | $133,440 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $133,090 |
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: Registered Nurses or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Registered Nurses professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $42,600 (83.5% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Registered Nurses?
Registered Nurses salaries range from $66,030 (10th percentile) to $135,320 (90th percentile), with a median of $93,600.
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 Registered Nurses and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 3,282,010 Registered 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 Registered Nurses?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Registered Nurses has a median salary of $93,600 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