Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: San Francisco, CA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in San Francisco, CA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$67,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$36,022 vs $42,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$30,189 vs $39,494
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | San Francisco, CA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $67,000▲ | $53,000 | +$14,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,590▲ | $40,810 | +$10,780 |
| 75th Percentile | $85,760▲ | $67,840 | +$17,920 |
| 90th Percentile | $107,200▲ | $84,800 | +$22,400 |
| Cost of Living Index | 186 | 124 | +62 |
| State Income Tax | 9.3% | 0%▲ | +9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $36,022 | $42,742▲ | -$6,720 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $56,151▲ | $48,972 | +$7,179 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $30,189 | $39,494▲ | -$9,305 |
| Total Employment | 130,000 | 95,000 | +35,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = San Francisco, CA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $14,000 more (median: $67,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 186 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($36,022 vs $42,742 equivalent). Austin, TX 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.