Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Louisville, KY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Louisville, KY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$38,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Louisville, KY
$43,678 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Louisville, KY
$38,745 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Louisville, KY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $38,000 | $59,000▲ | -$21,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $29,260 | $45,430▲ | -$16,170 |
| 75th Percentile | $48,640 | $75,520▲ | -$26,880 |
| 90th Percentile | $60,800 | $94,400▲ | -$33,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 87 | 162 | -75 |
| State Income Tax | 4%▲ | 5% | -1% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,678▲ | $36,420 | +$7,258 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,708 | $51,790▲ | -$18,082 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $38,745▲ | $31,969 | +$6,776 |
| Total Employment | 25,000 | 105,000 | -80,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Louisville, KY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $21,000 more (median: $38,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 87 vs 162), Louisville, KY provides better purchasing power ($43,678 vs $36,420 equivalent). Louisville, KY has the lower state tax rate (4% vs 5%).
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.