Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Denver, CO vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Denver, CO and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$51,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$39,844 vs $40,123
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$35,196 vs $37,074
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Denver, CO | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $51,000 | $65,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $39,270 | $50,050▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $65,280 | $83,200▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $81,600 | $104,000▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 128 | 162 | -34 |
| State Income Tax | 4.4% | 0%▲ | +4.4% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $39,844 | $40,123▲ | -$279 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,051 | $60,060▲ | -$15,009 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,196 | $37,074▲ | -$1,878 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 145,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Denver, CO minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $14,000 more (median: $51,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 128 vs 162), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($39,844 vs $40,123 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.