Welders Salary

Atlanta vs Johns Creek: Welder Salary (2026)

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

Atlanta, GA
$51,610
$24.81/hr
Johns Creek, GA
$48,759
$23.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlanta, GAJohns Creek, GA
Median Salary$51,610$48,759
Hourly Rate$24.81$23.44
Entry Level (P10)$40,660$36,736
25th Percentile$47,971$42,934
75th Percentile$62,082$57,414
Top Earner (P90)$72,065$70,397
Total Employed5,24018
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlanta ($51,610) and Johns Creek ($48,759) welder salaries.AtlantaJohns CreekMedian Salary$51,610$48,759Entry Level (P10)$40,660$36,736Top Earner (P90)$72,065$70,397US Median $55,895

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlanta and Johns Creek is $2,851 (5.85%). 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,Johns Creek spans $33,661. Johns Creek has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Atlanta
P10 (Entry)$40,660
P25$47,971
Median$51,610
P75$62,082
P90 (Top)$72,065
Johns Creek
P10 (Entry)$36,736
P25$42,934
Median$48,759
P75$57,414
P90 (Top)$70,397

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Johns Creek ($52,373 effective) pays 1.54% more than Atlanta ($51,580 effective).

Atlanta
Nominal: $51,610
CoL Index: 100.058
Adjusted: $51,580
Johns Creek
Nominal: $48,759
CoL Index: 93.1
Adjusted: $52,373

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 Johns Creek if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,373)
  • 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 7.3% growth in Johns Creek over the same period.

Atlanta, GA

+30.7%

$37,970 (2019) → $49,630 (2025)

Johns Creek, GA

+7.3%

$43,680 (2024) → $46,888 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Atlanta or Johns Creek?

Atlanta has a higher median welder salary at $51,610/year, compared to Johns Creek at $48,759/year — a difference of $2,851 (5.85%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlanta and Johns Creek?

Atlanta welders earn $24.81/hr while Johns Creek hygienists earn $23.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlanta to Johns Creek as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlanta and Johns Creek. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlanta = $51,580, Johns Creek = $52,373), job availability (5,240 vs 18 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Atlanta vs Johns Creek?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,660 in Atlanta and $36,736 in Johns Creek. 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