Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, Des Moines

$59,980

BLS OEWS median annual wage in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA. Middle half of wages roughly $49,520 to $61,650.

BLS OEWS median, May 2025, as of May 15, 2026. BEA Regional Price Parity 2024. Disclaimer

vs US median
+11.6%
US median
$53,750
Metro RPP
91.7
Middle half
$49,520 to $61,650
OEWS employment
1,170
SOC
51-4121

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Des Moines pay a median $59,980 (May 2025), 11.6% above the US median of $53,750. At local prices (RPP 91.7), that median buys about what $65,409 buys at US-average prices.

Purchasing power

$59,980 in Des Moines buys about what $65,409 buys at US-average prices (BEA RPP 91.7, 2024). Housing (rents) RPP is 84.7 vs all-items 91.7 (US = 100, 2024).

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in nearby metros

Metro Median Middle half RPP
Des Moines $59,980 $49,520 to $61,650 91.7
Birmingham $49,930 $44,350 to $62,080 91.6
San Francisco $64,320 $56,680 to $78,920 115.6
Tulsa $53,550 $47,600 to $61,810 89.2

BLS OEWS May 2025 where published for the CBSA.

FAQ

What is the median salary for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Des Moines?
According to BLS OEWS May 2025, the median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA is $59,980.
How does Des Moines pay compare to the US median for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers?
Local median pay is 11.6% above the national OEWS median of $53,750.
How does cost of living change what that wage buys?
BEA RPP for Des Moines is 91.7 (US = 100, 2024). The local median of $59,980 has about the same purchasing power as $65,409 at US-average prices.
How current is this data?
Wages are BLS OEWS May 2025. Price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities for 2024. See methodology for source details.

What this covers

Includes

  • BEA Regional Price Parities (all items, goods, housing rents, other services)
  • BLS OEWS median wages, percentile bands, and employment where published
  • Purchasing-power math: salary × (destination RPP ÷ origin RPP)

Does not include

  • Federal, state, or local income taxes
  • Childcare, healthcare premiums, or leave benefits
  • Job openings. OEWS employment is a published stock estimate, not hiring demand

Median wages are published BLS OEWS metro estimates; price levels use BEA Regional Price Parities. See methodology and disclaimer.