Welders Salary

Bennington vs Burlington: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Bennington, VT and Burlington, VT. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bennington, VT
$55,435
$26.65/hr
Burlington, VT
$65,992
$31.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBennington, VTBurlington, VT
Median Salary$55,435$65,992
Hourly Rate$26.65$31.73
Entry Level (P10)$42,740$50,227
25th Percentile$49,118$61,500
75th Percentile$63,307$71,462
Top Earner (P90)$75,267$81,227
Total Employed6140
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bennington ($55,435) and Burlington ($65,992) welder salaries.BenningtonBurlingtonMedian Salary$55,435$65,992Entry Level (P10)$42,740$50,227Top Earner (P90)$75,267$81,227US Median $55,895

Verdict

Burlington, VT offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Bennington.

The salary gap between Bennington and Burlington is $10,557 (19.04%). Burlington's median is +18.06% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bennington spans $32,527,Burlington spans $31,000. Bennington has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bennington
P10 (Entry)$42,740
P25$49,118
Median$55,435
P75$63,307
P90 (Top)$75,267
Burlington
P10 (Entry)$50,227
P25$61,500
Median$65,992
P75$71,462
P90 (Top)$81,227

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Burlington ($65,372 effective) pays 22.05% more than Bennington ($53,560 effective).

Bennington
Nominal: $55,435
CoL Index: 103.5
Adjusted: $53,560
Burlington
Nominal: $65,992
CoL Index: 100.949
Adjusted: $65,372

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bennington if…

  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Choose Burlington if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,992/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,227)
  • Larger job market (140 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,372)
  • You prefer the Vermont area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Bennington grew -0.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 50.7% growth in Burlington over the same period.

Bennington, VT

+-0.5%

$53,556 (2024) → $53,308 (2025)

Burlington, VT

+50.7%

$42,110 (2019) → $63,460 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Bennington or Burlington?

Burlington has a higher median welder salary at $65,992/year, compared to Bennington at $55,435/year — a difference of $10,557 (19.04%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bennington and Burlington?

Bennington welders earn $26.65/hr while Burlington hygienists earn $31.73/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bennington to Burlington as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bennington and Burlington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bennington = $53,560, Burlington = $65,372), job availability (6 vs 140 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Bennington vs Burlington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $42,740 in Bennington and $50,227 in Burlington. The Burlington 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