Welders Salary

Atlanta vs Brunswick: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Atlanta, GA and Brunswick, GA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlanta, GA
$51,610
$24.81/hr
Brunswick, GA
$50,310
$24.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GABrunswick, GA
Median Salary$51,610$50,310
Hourly Rate$24.81$24.19
Entry Level (P10)$40,660$40,192
25th Percentile$47,971$43,863
75th Percentile$62,082$57,860
Top Earner (P90)$72,065$64,401
Total Employed5,24080
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($51,610) and Brunswick ($50,310) welder salaries.AtlantaBrunswickMedian Salary$51,610$50,310Entry Level (P10)$40,660$40,192Top Earner (P90)$72,065$64,401US Median $55,895

Verdict

Atlanta, GA offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brunswick.

The salary gap between Atlanta and Brunswick is $1,300 (2.58%). Atlanta's median is -7.67% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlanta spans $31,405,Brunswick spans $24,209. Atlanta has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$40,660
P25$47,971
Median$51,610
P75$62,082
P90 (Top)$72,065
Brunswick
P10 (Entry)$40,192
P25$43,863
Median$50,310
P75$57,860
P90 (Top)$64,401

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Brunswick ($57,361 effective) pays 11.21% more than Atlanta ($51,580 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $51,610
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $51,580
Brunswick
Nominal: $50,310
CoL Index: 87.708
Adjusted: $57,361

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlanta if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,610/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($72,065)
  • Larger job market (5,240 employed)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Choose Brunswick if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,361)
  • You prefer the Georgia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Atlanta grew 30.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 20.1% growth in Brunswick over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+30.7%

$37,970 (2019) → $49,630 (2025)

Brunswick, GA

+20.1%

$40,280 (2019) → $48,380 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Atlanta or Brunswick?

Atlanta has a higher median welder salary at $51,610/year, compared to Brunswick at $50,310/year — a difference of $1,300 (2.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Brunswick?

Atlanta welders earn $24.81/hr while Brunswick hygienists earn $24.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Brunswick as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Brunswick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $51,580, Brunswick = $57,361), job availability (5,240 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Atlanta vs Brunswick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,660 in Atlanta and $40,192 in Brunswick. The Atlanta area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

JM

Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder

Career Analyst

James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov