Welders Salary

Chattanooga vs Spring Hill: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Chattanooga, TN and Spring Hill, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Chattanooga, TN
$51,184
$24.60/hr
Spring Hill, TN
$49,974
$24.02/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricChattanooga, TNSpring Hill, TN
Median Salary$51,184$49,974
Hourly Rate$24.60$24.02
Entry Level (P10)$38,996$34,983
25th Percentile$44,196$42,042
75th Percentile$63,569$59,901
Top Earner (P90)$72,086$73,720
Total Employed1,85014
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Chattanooga ($51,184) and Spring Hill ($49,974) welder salaries.ChattanoogaSpring HillMedian Salary$51,184$49,974Entry Level (P10)$38,996$34,983Top Earner (P90)$72,086$73,720US Median $55,895

Verdict

Chattanooga, TN offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Spring Hill.

The salary gap between Chattanooga and Spring Hill is $1,210 (2.42%). Chattanooga's median is -8.43% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Chattanooga spans $33,090,Spring Hill spans $38,737. Spring Hill has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Chattanooga
P10 (Entry)$38,996
P25$44,196
Median$51,184
P75$63,569
P90 (Top)$72,086
Spring Hill
P10 (Entry)$34,983
P25$42,042
Median$49,974
P75$59,901
P90 (Top)$73,720

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Chattanooga ($55,961 effective) pays 2.80% more than Spring Hill ($54,438 effective).

Chattanooga
Nominal: $51,184
CoL Index: 91.464
Adjusted: $55,961
Spring Hill
Nominal: $49,974
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $54,438

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Chattanooga if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,184/year)
  • Larger job market (1,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,961)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Spring Hill if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($73,720)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Chattanooga grew 11.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.7% growth in Spring Hill over the same period.

Chattanooga, TN

+11.4%

$44,200 (2019) → $49,220 (2025)

Spring Hill, TN

+9.7%

$43,824 (2024) → $48,057 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Chattanooga or Spring Hill?

Chattanooga has a higher median welder salary at $51,184/year, compared to Spring Hill at $49,974/year — a difference of $1,210 (2.42%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Chattanooga and Spring Hill?

Chattanooga welders earn $24.60/hr while Spring Hill hygienists earn $24.02/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Chattanooga to Spring Hill as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Chattanooga and Spring Hill. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Chattanooga = $55,961, Spring Hill = $54,438), job availability (1,850 vs 14 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Chattanooga vs Spring Hill?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $38,996 in Chattanooga and $34,983 in Spring Hill. The Chattanooga 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