Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive vs Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Salary Comparison (2024)
Side-by-side salary comparison using 2024 Bureau of Labor Statistics data.
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
Median annual salary
1,737,820 employed nationally
Which Career Pays More?
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals earn $4,710 more per year than Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive professionals — that's 10.2% higher. At the 90th percentile, Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive earns $64,150 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $31,600 | $38,130 | $-6,530 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,770 | $45,580 | $-7,810 |
| Median (50th) | $46,290 | $51,000 | $-4,710 |
| 75th Percentile | $55,650 | $61,610 | $-5,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $64,150 | $75,850 | $-11,700 |
| Mean (Average) | $47,640 | $55,100 | $-7,460 |
Employment Numbers
Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
1,737,820
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $61,190 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $60,320 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $58,310 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Nashua, MA-NH | $56,060 |
| Hartford-East Hartford-Middletown, CT | $53,960 |
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: Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
What is the salary range for Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
What is the salary range for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
How many Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
Is it worth switching from Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers to Secretaries and Administrative Assistants, Except Legal, Medical, and Executive?
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Data verified March 2026 · Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS