Welders Salary

Bayonne vs Trenton: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Bayonne, NJ and Trenton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bayonne, NJ
$62,174
$29.89/hr
Trenton, NJ
$56,820
$27.32/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBayonne, NJTrenton, NJ
Median Salary$62,174$56,820
Hourly Rate$29.89$27.32
Entry Level (P10)$45,648$47,347
25th Percentile$53,851$49,603
75th Percentile$73,676$69,330
Top Earner (P90)$90,541$86,187
Total Employed16180
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bayonne ($62,174) and Trenton ($56,820) welder salaries.BayonneTrentonMedian Salary$62,174$56,820Entry Level (P10)$45,648$47,347Top Earner (P90)$90,541$86,187US Median $55,895

Verdict

Bayonne, NJ offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Bayonne and Trenton is $5,354 (9.42%). Bayonne's median is +11.23% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bayonne spans $44,893,Trenton spans $38,840. Bayonne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bayonne
P10 (Entry)$45,648
P25$53,851
Median$62,174
P75$73,676
P90 (Top)$90,541
Trenton
P10 (Entry)$47,347
P25$49,603
Median$56,820
P75$69,330
P90 (Top)$86,187

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Trenton ($55,069 effective) pays 2.04% more than Bayonne ($53,970 effective).

Bayonne
Nominal: $62,174
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $53,970
Trenton
Nominal: $56,820
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $55,069

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bayonne if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,174/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($90,541)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,069)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Bayonne grew -10.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 27.5% growth in Trenton over the same period.

Bayonne, NJ

+-10.4%

$66,740 (2024) → $59,788 (2025)

Trenton, NJ

+27.5%

$42,870 (2019) → $54,640 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Bayonne or Trenton?

Bayonne has a higher median welder salary at $62,174/year, compared to Trenton at $56,820/year — a difference of $5,354 (9.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bayonne and Trenton?

Bayonne welders earn $29.89/hr while Trenton hygienists earn $27.32/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bayonne to Trenton as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bayonne and Trenton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bayonne = $53,970, Trenton = $55,069), job availability (16 vs 180 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Bayonne vs Trenton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $45,648 in Bayonne and $47,347 in Trenton. The Trenton area offers higher starting salaries.
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