Welder Salary in Dallas, TX
Welders in Dallas, TX earn a median of $50,000/year, ranging from $38,500 (25th percentile) to $80,000 (90th percentile). After Texas state taxes (0%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 112), this is equivalent to $44,643 in purchasing power vs the US average.
On the ground in Dallas, TX
Notable employers in this market include Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Fort Worth, L3Harris, and Trinity Industries. Cost of living sits above the national average, and a one-bedroom in Oak Cliff, Lower Greenville, or out in Plano typically runs $1,700 to $2,100 a month. Most welding jobs here mean reporting to a fab shop or a project site rather than a downtown office, so the location of the yard matters more than which downtown corridor you'd otherwise drive. When commuting does come up, the 75, the 635, and the Tollway define the daily grind. No state income tax in Texas helps, though Dallas property taxes run high for homeowners.
1Salary Distribution in Dallas, TX
2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power
* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.
How Does Dallas, TX Compare?
| City | Median | COL Index | COL-Adjusted |
|---|---|---|---|
| Dallas, TX (current) | $50,000 | 112 | $44,643 |
| Austin, TX | $53,000 | 124 | $42,742 |
| Houston, TX | $49,000 | 107 | $45,794 |
| El Paso, TX | $33,000 | 85 | $38,824 |
| San Francisco, CA | $67,000 | 186 | $36,022 |
| New York, NY | $64,000 | 187 | $34,225 |
4Frequently Asked Questions
What is the average Welder salary in Dallas, TX?
The median Welder salary in Dallas, TX is $50,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $38,500 and the 90th percentile is $80,000.
Is Dallas, TX a good place to work as a Welder?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $50,000 Welder salary in Dallas, TX is equivalent to $44,643 in purchasing power compared to the US average.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112, meaning it is 12% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in Texas is approximately 0%.
What is the Welder salary range in Dallas, TX?
In Dallas, TX, Welders earn between $38,500 (25th percentile) and $80,000 (90th percentile), with a median of $50,000 per year.
How many Welder jobs are there in Dallas, TX?
According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 87,500 Welder positions in the Dallas, TX metropolitan area.
What do Welders earn in Dallas, TX?
Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Welders in Dallas, TX earn a median annual wage of $50,000. The middle 50% earn between $38,500 and $64,000. The top 10% earn more than $80,000. There are approximately 87,500 Welders employed in the Dallas, TX metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 5.5%.
Is Dallas, TX a good place for a Welder?
Dallas, TX has a cost of living index of 112 (US average = 100), making it 12% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Welder in Dallas, TX earning $50,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $44,643 relative to the US median. Texas has no state income tax, which is a significant financial advantage.
What is the cost of living adjustment for Dallas, TX?
Dallas, TX's cost of living index is 112, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $50,000 in Dallas, TXhas the same purchasing power as $44,643 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.
Compare Dallas, TX with Another City
See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.
5Should You Work as a Welder in Dallas, TX?
The headline median of $50,000 is only part of the picture. Dallas, TX's cost of living index is 112 (US average = 100), meaning a dollar here buys roughly 89¢ of what it buys in an average US city. The $50,000 salary effectively purchases $44,643 worth of goods and services at national-average prices.
Housing is the single biggest driver of cost-of-living differences between metros. In Dallas, TX, housing typically runs 28–35% of gross income for median earners — elevated but still within traditional affordability ranges. For a $50,000 salary, that translates to roughly $16,000/year on housing alone.
State tax plays a meaningful but smaller role. Texas has no state income tax, which is typically worth 4–8% of gross salary versus a high-tax state. For this role, that's roughly $3,000 per year in additional take-home. After state tax and approximate federal FICA (~7.6%), the estimated take-home is $46,200. This excludes federal income tax, which varies by filing status and deductions.
For comparison, here are nearby alternatives: Austin, TX ($53,000 median, COL 124); Houston, TX ($49,000 median, COL 107); El Paso, TX ($33,000 median, COL 85). If you're optimizing for purchasing power, compare the COL-adjusted column in the table above and pick the highest number. If you're optimizing for career progression, weight total employment and yearly growth in the role — larger markets offer more lateral moves and promotion velocity, even when nominal pay is lower.
The 5.5% year-over-year growth rate for Welders in Dallas, TX is a leading indicator of market health. Above-average hiring pace suggests strong negotiating leverage, frequent counter-offer opportunities, and a deep pipeline of open roles. For side-by-side comparisons, try the full city ranking for Welders or the Texas state overview.
Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.