Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Chicago, IL vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Chicago, IL and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$49,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Chicago, IL
$45,794 vs $36,022
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Chicago, IL
$40,220 vs $30,189
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Chicago, IL | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $67,000▲ | -$18,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $51,590▲ | -$13,860 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $85,760▲ | -$23,040 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $107,200▲ | -$28,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 186 | -79 |
| State Income Tax | 4.95%▲ | 9.3% | -4.3500000000000005% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,794▲ | $36,022 | +$9,772 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $43,035 | $56,151▲ | -$13,116 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,220▲ | $30,189 | +$10,031 |
| Total Employment | 87,500 | 130,000 | -42,500 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Chicago, IL minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $18,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 186), Chicago, IL provides better purchasing power ($45,794 vs $36,022 equivalent). Chicago, IL has the lower state tax rate (4.95% vs 9.3%).
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.