The plasma electron temperature has been estimated starting from the spectroscopic analysis of the optical emission of the laser-generated plasma plume during quite diverse stainless steel welding procedures (c.w. CO 2 and pulsed Nd:YAG). Although the optical emissions present different spectral features, a discrete contribution of several iron lines can be highlighted in both types of welding. We have found that the electron temperature decreases as the laser power is enhanced, in static as well as dynamic conditions. Such a result could be useful to develop a closed loop control system of the weld penetration depth.