Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: El Paso, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in El Paso, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$33,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$38,824 vs $42,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$35,873 vs $39,494
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $33,000 | $53,000▲ | -$20,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,410 | $40,810▲ | -$15,400 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,240 | $67,840▲ | -$25,600 |
| 90th Percentile | $52,800 | $84,800▲ | -$32,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 124 | -39 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,824 | $42,742▲ | -$3,918 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,492 | $48,972▲ | -$18,480 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,873 | $39,494▲ | -$3,621 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 95,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $20,000 more (median: $33,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($38,824 vs $42,742 equivalent). El Paso, 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.