Welder · Salary Comparison · 2026
Welder Salary: Seattle, WA vs San Francisco, CA
Side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, cost of living, and take-home pay for Welders in Seattle, WA and San Francisco, CA, based on BLS OEWS 2026 data.
1Which City Pays More After Tax?
Higher Gross Salary
✓ San Francisco, CA
$65,000 vs $67,000
Better Purchasing Power
✓ Seattle, WA
$40,123 vs $36,022
Best Take-Home (COL-Adj)
✓ Seattle, WA
$37,074 vs $30,189
2
Detailed Comparison
| Metric | Seattle, WA | San Francisco, CA | Diff |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median Annual Salary | $65,000 | $67,000▲ | -$2,000 |
| 25th Percentile | $50,050 | $51,590▲ | -$1,540 |
| 75th Percentile | $83,200 | $85,760▲ | -$2,560 |
| 90th Percentile | $104,000 | $107,200▲ | -$3,200 |
| Cost of Living Index | 162 | 186 | -24 |
| State Income Tax | 0%▲ | 9.3% | -9.3% |
| COL-Adjusted Median | $40,123▲ | $36,022 | +$4,101 |
| Est. Annual Take-Home | $60,060▲ | $56,151 | +$3,909 |
| COL-Adj. Take-Home | $37,074▲ | $30,189 | +$6,885 |
| Total Employment | 145,000 | 130,000 | +15,000 |
▲ = Higher value wins for this metric. Diff = Seattle, WA minus San Francisco, CA.
3Summary Analysis
On paper, San Francisco, CA pays $2,000 more (median: $65,000 vs $67,000). However, after adjusting for cost of living (index 162 vs 186), Seattle, WA provides better purchasing power ($40,123 vs $36,022 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.