Software Developers 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?
Software Developers professionals earn $82,080 more per year than Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers professionals — that's 160.9% higher. At the 90th percentile, Software Developers earns $211,450 compared to $75,850 for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers.
Salary Range Comparison
Software Developers$79,850 – $211,450
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers$38,130 – $75,850
$38,130$211,450
Detailed Salary Comparison
| Percentile | Software Developers | Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile | $79,850 | $38,130 | +$41,720 |
| 25th Percentile | $103,050 | $45,580 | +$57,470 |
| Median (50th) | $133,080 | $51,000 | +$82,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $169,000 | $61,610 | +$107,390 |
| 90th Percentile | $211,450 | $75,850 | +$135,600 |
| Mean (Average) | $144,570 | $55,100 | +$89,470 |
Employment Numbers
Software Developers
1,654,440
employed nationwide
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
424,040
employed nationwide
Top Paying Cities
Best Cities for Software Developers
| City | Median |
|---|---|
| San Jose-Sunnyvale-Santa Clara, CA | $208,270 |
| San Francisco-Oakland-Berkeley, CA | $174,910 |
| Seattle-Tacoma-Bellevue, WA | $169,340 |
| New York-Newark-Jersey City, NY-NJ-PA | $161,970 |
| San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA | $159,240 |
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: Software Developers or Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Software Developers professionals earn more, with a median salary difference of $82,080 (160.9% higher) as of 2024 BLS data.
What is the salary range for Software Developers?
Software Developers salaries range from $79,850 (10th percentile) to $211,450 (90th percentile), with a median of $133,080.
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 Software Developers and Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers jobs are there?
There are approximately 1,654,440 Software Developers 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 Software Developers?
Career decisions depend on many factors beyond salary. Software Developers has a median salary of $133,080 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