Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Houston, TX vs Seattle, WA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Houston, TX and Seattle, WA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$49,000 vs $65,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Houston, TX
$45,794 vs $40,123
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Houston, TX
$42,314 vs $37,074
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Houston, TX | Seattle, WA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $49,000 | $65,000▲ | -$16,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $37,730 | $50,050▲ | -$12,320 |
| 75th Percentile | $62,720 | $83,200▲ | -$20,480 |
| 90th Percentile | $78,400 | $104,000▲ | -$25,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 107 | 162 | -55 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $45,794▲ | $40,123 | +$5,671 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $45,276 | $60,060▲ | -$14,784 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $42,314▲ | $37,074 | +$5,240 |
| Total Employment | 70,000 | 145,000 | -75,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Houston, TX minus Seattle, WA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $16,000 more (median: $49,000 vs $65,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 107 vs 162), Houston, TX provides better purchasing power ($45,794 vs $40,123 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.