Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Nashville, TN vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Nashville, TN and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Boston, MA
$45,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Nashville, TN
$40,909 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Nashville, TN
$37,800 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Nashville, TN | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $45,000 | $59,000▲ | -$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $34,650 | $45,430▲ | -$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $57,600 | $75,520▲ | -$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $72,000 | $94,400▲ | -$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 110 | 162 | -52 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 5% | -5% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,909▲ | $36,420 | +$4,489 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $41,580 | $51,790▲ | -$10,210 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,800▲ | $31,969 | +$5,831 |
| Total Employment | 45,000 | 105,000 | -60,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Nashville, TN minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Boston, MA pays $14,000 more (median: $45,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 110 vs 162), Nashville, TN provides better purchasing power ($40,909 vs $36,420 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.