Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Los Angeles, CA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Los Angeles, CA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$57,000 vs $64,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ New York, NY
$32,948 vs $34,225
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ New York, NY
$27,613 vs $29,457
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Los Angeles, CA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $57,000 | $64,000▲ | -$7,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $43,890 | $49,280▲ | -$5,390 |
| 75th Percentile | $72,960 | $81,920▲ | -$8,960 |
| 90th Percentile | $91,200 | $102,400▲ | -$11,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 173 | 187 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 6.85%▲ | +2.450000000000001% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $32,948 | $34,225▲ | -$1,277 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $47,770 | $55,085▲ | -$7,315 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $27,613 | $29,457▲ | -$1,844 |
| Total Employment | 120,000 | 170,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Los Angeles, CA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $7,000 more (median: $57,000 vs $64,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 173 vs 187), New York, NY provides better purchasing power ($32,948 vs $34,225 equivalent). New York, NY has the lower state tax rate (6.85% vs 9.3%).
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.