Salary guide, May 2025
Lead Welder pay in Ames, IA
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The median annual wage for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers in Ames, IA was $58,560 (U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, OEWS, May 2025). The middle half of workers earned between $49,250 and $60,310.
The Ames, IA median is $4,810 above the national median of $53,750, both from BLS May 2025.
Broader occupation · SOC 51-4121 Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers
Lead Welder 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 ames, IA?
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $40,620 | $49,250 | $58,560 | $60,310 | $67,110 |
| 10th | 25th | Median | 75th | 90th |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| $19.53 | $23.68 | $28.15 | $28.99 | $32.27 |
BLS estimated 170 workers employed in this occupation in Ames, IA. Location quotient: 1.1.
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 Lead Welder median is $58,560. The all-occupations median in Ames, IA is $50,220. Ratio: 1.17 (role median divided by all-occupations median, same units, BLS May 2025). Location quotient 1.1 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 | $49,290 | $49,310 | $57,650 |
| May 2025 | $49,250 | $58,560 | $60,310 |
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, Ames, IA. 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 |
|---|---|---|
| Des Moines-West Des Moines, IA | $59,980 | $49,520 to $61,650 |
| Waterloo-Cedar Falls, IA | $51,080 | $47,430 to $59,060 |
All roles in Ames, IA · National page · Lead Welder ranked across metros