Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Houston, TX vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Houston, TX and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$49,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$45,794 vs $42,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$42,314 vs $39,494
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $53,000▲ | -$4,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $40,810▲ | -$3,080 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $67,840▲ | -$5,120 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $84,800▲ | -$6,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 124 | -17 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,794▲ | $42,742 | +$3,052 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,276 | $48,972▲ | -$3,696 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,314▲ | $39,494 | +$2,820 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 95,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $4,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 124), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($45,794 vs $42,742 equivalent). Houston, 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.