Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: El Paso, TX vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in El Paso, TX and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$33,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ El Paso, TX
$38,824 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ El Paso, TX
$35,873 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | El Paso, TX | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $33,000 | $59,000▲ | -$26,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $25,410 | $45,430▲ | -$20,020 |
| 75th Percentile | $42,240 | $75,520▲ | -$33,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $52,800 | $94,400▲ | -$41,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 85 | 162 | -77 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $38,824▲ | $36,420 | +$2,404 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $30,492 | $51,790▲ | -$21,298 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $35,873▲ | $31,969 | +$3,904 |
| Total Employment | 15,000 | 105,000 | -90,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = El Paso, TX minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $26,000 more (median: $33,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 85 vs 162), El Paso, TX provides better purchasing power ($38,824 vs $36,420 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.