Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: New York, NY vs Boston, MA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in New York, NY and Boston, MA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$64,000 vs $59,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Boston, MA
$34,225 vs $36,420
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Boston, MA
$29,457 vs $31,969
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Boston, MA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000▲ | $59,000 | +$5,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,280▲ | $45,430 | +$3,850 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,920▲ | $75,520 | +$6,400 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,400▲ | $94,400 | +$8,000 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 162 | +25 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 5%▲ | +1.8499999999999996% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,225 | $36,420▲ | -$2,195 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,085▲ | $51,790 | +$3,295 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,457 | $31,969▲ | -$2,512 |
| Total Employment | 170,000 | 105,000 | +65,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Boston, MA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $5,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $59,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 162), Boston, MA provides better purchasing power ($34,225 vs $36,420 equivalent). Boston, MA has the lower state tax rate (5% vs 6.85%).
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.