Welders Salary

Buffalo vs Yonkers: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Buffalo, NY and Yonkers, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Buffalo, NY
$57,631
$27.71/hr
Yonkers, NY
$60,156
$28.92/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBuffalo, NYYonkers, NY
Median Salary$57,631$60,156
Hourly Rate$27.71$28.92
Entry Level (P10)$43,551$42,276
25th Percentile$50,134$51,011
75th Percentile$65,514$73,217
Top Earner (P90)$77,067$92,277
Total Employed97045
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Buffalo ($57,631) and Yonkers ($60,156) welder salaries.BuffaloYonkersMedian Salary$57,631$60,156Entry Level (P10)$43,551$42,276Top Earner (P90)$77,067$92,277US Median $55,895

Verdict

Yonkers, NY offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Buffalo.

The salary gap between Buffalo and Yonkers is $2,525 (4.38%). Yonkers's median is +7.62% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Buffalo spans $33,516,Yonkers spans $50,001. Yonkers has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Buffalo
P10 (Entry)$43,551
P25$50,134
Median$57,631
P75$65,514
P90 (Top)$77,067
Yonkers
P10 (Entry)$42,276
P25$51,011
Median$60,156
P75$73,217
P90 (Top)$92,277

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Buffalo ($60,130 effective) pays 15.85% more than Yonkers ($51,903 effective).

Buffalo
Nominal: $57,631
CoL Index: 95.844
Adjusted: $60,130
Yonkers
Nominal: $60,156
CoL Index: 115.9
Adjusted: $51,903

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Buffalo if…

  • Larger job market (970 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,130)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Yonkers if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,156/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($92,277)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Buffalo grew 25.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -21.5% growth in Yonkers over the same period.

Buffalo, NY

+25.6%

$44,130 (2019) → $55,420 (2025)

Yonkers, NY

+-21.5%

$73,709 (2024) → $57,848 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Buffalo or Yonkers?

Yonkers has a higher median welder salary at $60,156/year, compared to Buffalo at $57,631/year — a difference of $2,525 (4.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Buffalo and Yonkers?

Buffalo welders earn $27.71/hr while Yonkers hygienists earn $28.92/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Buffalo to Yonkers as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Buffalo and Yonkers. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Buffalo = $60,130, Yonkers = $51,903), job availability (970 vs 45 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Buffalo vs Yonkers?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $43,551 in Buffalo and $42,276 in Yonkers. The Buffalo 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