Salary guide, May 2025
Laser / Plasma / Waterjet Cutting Operator pay in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX
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The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX was $57,940 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $46,470 and $71,460.
The Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX median is $4,190 above the national median of $53,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Direct match · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Laser / Plasma / Waterjet Cutting Operator is shown within the broader published occupation. BLS does not separate this plant-specific title, seniority, shift, process or credential. Compare the duties with the SOC definition before using the range.
What should you know about houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $38,480 | $46,470 | $57,940 | $71,460 | $81,940 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.50 | $22.34 | $27.86 | $34.36 | $39.39 |
BLS estimated 15,850 workers employed in this occupation in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX. Location quotient: 1.8.
What should you know about united States?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $39,240 | $46,790 | $53,750 | $63,010 | $77,530 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $18.87 | $22.50 | $25.84 | $30.29 | $37.28 |
What should you know about role pay against all occupations here?
The published Laser / Plasma / Waterjet Cutting Operator median is $57,940. The all-occupations median in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX is $49,410. Ratio: 1.17 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.8 measures how concentrated this occupation's employment is here against the nation. It is not a wage index.
What should you know about two BLS releases?
| Release period | 25th | Median | 75th |
|---|---|---|---|
| May 2024 | $44,720 | $53,810 | $65,140 |
| May 2025 | $46,470 | $57,940 | $71,460 |
These are two separate BLS estimates from different survey panels. The workers and employers behind them differ, so the gap is not like-for-like pay for the same workers and is not a growth rate. We show no percentage change.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025. SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers, U.S.. Official occupation data · Official area tables. Released 2026-05-15.
What should you know about nearby areas?
| Area | Median | 25th to 75th |
|---|---|---|
| Beaumont-Port Arthur, TX | $59,190 | $48,420 to $77,280 |
| College Station-Bryan, TX | $52,800 | $44,410 to $65,630 |
All roles in Houston-Pasadena-The Woodlands, TX · National page · Laser / Plasma / Waterjet Cutting Operator ranked across metros