Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Seattle, WA vs New York, NY
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Seattle, WA and New York, NY, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ Seattle, WA
$65,000 vs $64,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$40,123 vs $34,225
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$37,074 vs $29,457
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | New York, NY | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000▲ | $64,000 | +$1,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050▲ | $49,280 | +$770 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200▲ | $81,920 | +$1,280 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000▲ | $102,400 | +$1,600 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 187 | -25 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 6.85% | -6.85% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,123▲ | $34,225 | +$5,898 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060▲ | $55,085 | +$4,975 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,074▲ | $29,457 | +$7,617 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 170,000 | -25,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus New York, NY.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, Seattle, WA pays $1,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $64,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 187), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($40,123 vs $34,225 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.