Welders Salary

Cheyenne vs Cody: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Cheyenne, WY and Cody, WY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Cheyenne, WY
$61,385
$29.51/hr
Cody, WY
$51,476
$24.75/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricCheyenne, WYCody, WY
Median Salary$61,385$51,476
Hourly Rate$29.51$24.75
Entry Level (P10)$44,830$39,975
25th Percentile$50,248$45,818
75th Percentile$62,976$57,967
Top Earner (P90)$79,896$68,320
Total Employed1805
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Cheyenne ($61,385) and Cody ($51,476) welder salaries.CheyenneCodyMedian Salary$61,385$51,476Entry Level (P10)$44,830$39,975Top Earner (P90)$79,896$68,320US Median $55,895

Verdict

Cheyenne, WY offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Cody.

The salary gap between Cheyenne and Cody is $9,909 (19.25%). Cheyenne's median is +9.82% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Cheyenne spans $35,066,Cody spans $28,345. Cheyenne has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Cheyenne
P10 (Entry)$44,830
P25$50,248
Median$61,385
P75$62,976
P90 (Top)$79,896
Cody
P10 (Entry)$39,975
P25$45,818
Median$51,476
P75$57,967
P90 (Top)$68,320

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Cheyenne ($63,617 effective) pays 18.40% more than Cody ($53,733 effective).

Cheyenne
Nominal: $61,385
CoL Index: 96.491
Adjusted: $63,617
Cody
Nominal: $51,476
CoL Index: 95.8
Adjusted: $53,733

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Cheyenne if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,385/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,896)
  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,617)
  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Choose Cody if…

  • You prefer the Wyoming area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Cheyenne grew 37.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.4% growth in Cody over the same period.

Cheyenne, WY

+37.9%

$42,820 (2019) → $59,030 (2025)

Cody, WY

+-10.4%

$55,257 (2024) → $49,501 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Cheyenne or Cody?

Cheyenne has a higher median welder salary at $61,385/year, compared to Cody at $51,476/year — a difference of $9,909 (19.25%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Cheyenne and Cody?

Cheyenne welders earn $29.51/hr while Cody hygienists earn $24.75/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Cheyenne to Cody as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Cheyenne and Cody. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Cheyenne = $63,617, Cody = $53,733), job availability (180 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Cheyenne vs Cody?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $44,830 in Cheyenne and $39,975 in Cody. The Cheyenne 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