Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Austin, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Austin, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$53,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$42,742 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$39,494 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Austin, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $53,000 | $59,000▲ | -$6,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $40,810 | $45,430▲ | -$4,620 |
| 75th Percentile | $67,840 | $75,520▲ | -$7,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $84,800 | $94,400▲ | -$9,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 124 | 162 | -38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $42,742▲ | $36,420 | +$6,322 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $48,972 | $51,790▲ | -$2,818 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $39,494▲ | $31,969 | +$7,525 |
| Total Employment | 95,000 | 105,000 | -10,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Austin, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $6,000 more (median: $53,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 124 vs 162), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($42,742 vs $36,420 equivalent). Austin, TX has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage.
Data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS · 2026 · Cost-of-living indices from composite metro area data. Take-home estimates approximate only — consult a tax professional for accurate figures.