Welders Salary

Clinton Township vs Muskegon: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Clinton Township, MI and Muskegon, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clinton Township, MI
$53,137
$25.55/hr
Muskegon, MI
$49,759
$23.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClinton Township, MIMuskegon, MI
Median Salary$53,137$49,759
Hourly Rate$25.55$23.93
Entry Level (P10)$37,901$42,574
25th Percentile$44,318$47,555
75th Percentile$62,316$61,916
Top Earner (P90)$76,778$62,280
Total Employed21390
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clinton Township ($53,137) and Muskegon ($49,759) welder salaries.Clinton TownshipMuskegonMedian Salary$53,137$49,759Entry Level (P10)$37,901$42,574Top Earner (P90)$76,778$62,280US Median $55,895

Verdict

Clinton Township, MI offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Muskegon.

The salary gap between Clinton Township and Muskegon is $3,378 (6.79%). Clinton Township's median is -4.93% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clinton Township spans $38,877,Muskegon spans $19,706. Clinton Township has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Clinton Township
P10 (Entry)$37,901
P25$44,318
Median$53,137
P75$62,316
P90 (Top)$76,778
Muskegon
P10 (Entry)$42,574
P25$47,555
Median$49,759
P75$61,916
P90 (Top)$62,280

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Clinton Township ($57,014 effective) pays 6.01% more than Muskegon ($53,782 effective).

Clinton Township
Nominal: $53,137
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $57,014
Muskegon
Nominal: $49,759
CoL Index: 92.519
Adjusted: $53,782

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clinton Township if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,137/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($76,778)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $57,014)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Muskegon if…

  • Larger job market (390 employed)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Clinton Township grew -1.8% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 9.7% growth in Muskegon over the same period.

Clinton Township, MI

+-1.8%

$52,037 (2024) → $51,098 (2025)

Muskegon, MI

+9.7%

$43,620 (2019) → $47,850 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Clinton Township or Muskegon?

Clinton Township has a higher median welder salary at $53,137/year, compared to Muskegon at $49,759/year — a difference of $3,378 (6.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clinton Township and Muskegon?

Clinton Township welders earn $25.55/hr while Muskegon hygienists earn $23.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clinton Township to Muskegon as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clinton Township and Muskegon. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clinton Township = $57,014, Muskegon = $53,782), job availability (21 vs 390 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Clinton Township vs Muskegon?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $37,901 in Clinton Township and $42,574 in Muskegon. The Muskegon 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