Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Memphis, TN vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Memphis, TN and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$36,000 vs $64,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$43,373 vs $34,225
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$40,077 vs $29,457
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $64,000▲ | -$28,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $49,280▲ | -$21,560 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $81,920▲ | -$35,840 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $102,400▲ | -$44,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 187 | -104 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,373▲ | $34,225 | +$9,148 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,264 | $55,085▲ | -$21,821 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,077▲ | $29,457 | +$10,620 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 170,000 | -150,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $28,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $64,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 187), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($43,373 vs $34,225 equivalent). Memphis, TN 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.