Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Memphis, TN vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Memphis, TN and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$36,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Memphis, TN
$43,373 vs $36,022
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Memphis, TN
$40,077 vs $30,189
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Memphis, TN | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $36,000 | $67,000▲ | -$31,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $27,720 | $51,590▲ | -$23,870 |
| 75th Percentile | $46,080 | $85,760▲ | -$39,680 |
| 90th Percentile | $57,600 | $107,200▲ | -$49,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 83 | 186 | -103 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $43,373▲ | $36,022 | +$7,351 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $33,264 | $56,151▲ | -$22,887 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $40,077▲ | $30,189 | +$9,888 |
| Total Employment | 20,000 | 130,000 | -110,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Memphis, TN minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $31,000 more (median: $36,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 83 vs 186), Memphis, TN provides better purchasing power ($43,373 vs $36,022 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.