Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Nashville, TN vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Nashville, TN and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Austin, TX
$45,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$40,909 vs $42,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$37,800 vs $39,494
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $53,000▲ | -$8,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $40,810▲ | -$6,160 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $67,840▲ | -$10,240 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $84,800▲ | -$12,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 124 | -14 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,909 | $42,742▲ | -$1,833 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $41,580 | $48,972▲ | -$7,392 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,800 | $39,494▲ | -$1,694 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 95,000 | -50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Austin, TX pays $8,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($40,909 vs $42,742 equivalent). Nashville, 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.