Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: New York, NY vs Denver, CO
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in New York, NY and Denver, CO, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ New York, NY
$64,000 vs $51,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Denver, CO
$34,225 vs $39,844
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Denver, CO
$29,457 vs $35,196
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | New York, NY | Denver, CO | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $64,000▲ | $51,000 | +$13,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $49,280▲ | $39,270 | +$10,010 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,920▲ | $65,280 | +$16,640 |
| 90th Percentile | $102,400▲ | $81,600 | +$20,800 |
| Cost of Living Index | 187 | 128 | +59 |
| State Income Tax | 6.85% | 4.4%▲ | +2.4499999999999993% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $34,225 | $39,844▲ | -$5,619 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $55,085▲ | $45,051 | +$10,034 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $29,457 | $35,196▲ | -$5,739 |
| Total Employment | 170,000 | 70,000 | +100,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = New York, NY minus Denver, CO.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, New York, NY pays $13,000 more (median: $64,000 vs $51,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 187 vs 128), Denver, CO provides better purchasing power ($34,225 vs $39,844 equivalent). Denver, CO has the lower state tax rate (4.4% 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.