Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Seattle, WA vs Austin, TX
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Seattle, WA and Austin, TX, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,000 vs $53,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Austin, TX
$40,123 vs $42,742
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Austin, TX
$37,074 vs $39,494
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | Austin, TX | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000▲ | $53,000 | +$12,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050▲ | $40,810 | +$9,240 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200▲ | $67,840 | +$15,360 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000▲ | $84,800 | +$19,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 124 | +38 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 0% | — |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,123 | $42,742▲ | -$2,619 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060▲ | $48,972 | +$11,088 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,074 | $39,494▲ | -$2,420 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 95,000 | +50,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus Austin, TX.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $12,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $53,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 124), Austin, TX provides better purchasing power ($40,123 vs $42,742 equivalent). Seattle, WA 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.