Welders Salary

Brownsburg vs Indianapolis: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Brownsburg, IN and Indianapolis, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Brownsburg, IN
$48,819
$23.47/hr
Indianapolis, IN
$53,108
$25.53/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBrownsburg, INIndianapolis, IN
Median Salary$48,819$53,108
Hourly Rate$23.47$25.53
Entry Level (P10)$36,952$39,194
25th Percentile$41,886$48,449
75th Percentile$55,998$65,046
Top Earner (P90)$67,172$79,168
Total Employed72,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Brownsburg ($48,819) and Indianapolis ($53,108) welder salaries.BrownsburgIndianapolisMedian Salary$48,819$53,108Entry Level (P10)$36,952$39,194Top Earner (P90)$67,172$79,168US Median $55,895

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Brownsburg.

The salary gap between Brownsburg and Indianapolis is $4,289 (8.79%). Indianapolis's median is -4.99% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Brownsburg spans $30,220,Indianapolis spans $39,974. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Brownsburg
P10 (Entry)$36,952
P25$41,886
Median$48,819
P75$55,998
P90 (Top)$67,172
Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$39,194
P25$48,449
Median$53,108
P75$65,046
P90 (Top)$79,168

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($55,497 effective) pays 3.79% more than Brownsburg ($53,471 effective).

Brownsburg
Nominal: $48,819
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $53,471
Indianapolis
Nominal: $53,108
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $55,497

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Brownsburg if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,108/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,168)
  • Larger job market (2,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,497)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Brownsburg grew 4.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.2% growth in Indianapolis over the same period.

Brownsburg, IN

+4.5%

$44,945 (2024) → $46,946 (2025)

Indianapolis, IN

+22.2%

$41,780 (2019) → $51,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Brownsburg or Indianapolis?

Indianapolis has a higher median welder salary at $53,108/year, compared to Brownsburg at $48,819/year — a difference of $4,289 (8.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Brownsburg and Indianapolis?

Brownsburg welders earn $23.47/hr while Indianapolis hygienists earn $25.53/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Brownsburg to Indianapolis as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Brownsburg and Indianapolis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Brownsburg = $53,471, Indianapolis = $55,497), job availability (7 vs 2,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Brownsburg vs Indianapolis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $36,952 in Brownsburg and $39,194 in Indianapolis. The Indianapolis 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