Welders Salary

Austin vs League City: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Austin, TX and League City, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Austin, TX
$61,396
$29.52/hr
League City, TX
$50,324
$24.20/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAustin, TXLeague City, TX
Median Salary$61,396$50,324
Hourly Rate$29.52$24.20
Entry Level (P10)$40,993$36,886
25th Percentile$48,938$43,814
75th Percentile$69,673$59,783
Top Earner (P90)$79,095$74,002
Total Employed2,21022
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Austin ($61,396) and League City ($50,324) welder salaries.AustinLeague CityMedian Salary$61,396$50,324Entry Level (P10)$40,993$36,886Top Earner (P90)$79,095$74,002US Median $55,895

Verdict

Austin, TX offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to League City.

The salary gap between Austin and League City is $11,072 (22.00%). Austin's median is +9.84% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Austin spans $38,102,League City spans $37,116. Austin has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Austin
P10 (Entry)$40,993
P25$48,938
Median$61,396
P75$69,673
P90 (Top)$79,095
League City
P10 (Entry)$36,886
P25$43,814
Median$50,324
P75$59,783
P90 (Top)$74,002

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Austin ($62,607 effective) pays 19.43% more than League City ($52,421 effective).

Austin
Nominal: $61,396
CoL Index: 98.066
Adjusted: $62,607
League City
Nominal: $50,324
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $52,421

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Austin if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,396/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,095)
  • Larger job market (2,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,607)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose League City if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Austin grew 39.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.3% growth in League City over the same period.

Austin, TX

+39.2%

$42,410 (2019) → $59,040 (2025)

League City, TX

+-6.3%

$51,640 (2024) → $48,393 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Austin or League City?

Austin has a higher median welder salary at $61,396/year, compared to League City at $50,324/year — a difference of $11,072 (22.00%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Austin and League City?

Austin welders earn $29.52/hr while League City hygienists earn $24.20/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Austin to League City as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Austin and League City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Austin = $62,607, League City = $52,421), job availability (2,210 vs 22 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Austin vs League City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,993 in Austin and $36,886 in League City. The Austin 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