Welders Salary

Clovis vs Farmington: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Clovis, NM and Farmington, NM. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Clovis, NM
$50,107
$24.09/hr
Farmington, NM
$59,732
$28.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricClovis, NMFarmington, NM
Median Salary$50,107$59,732
Hourly Rate$24.09$28.72
Entry Level (P10)$38,231$37,644
25th Percentile$44,290$47,627
75th Percentile$57,693$85,969
Top Earner (P90)$69,240$96,586
Total Employed7500
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Clovis ($50,107) and Farmington ($59,732) welder salaries.ClovisFarmingtonMedian Salary$50,107$59,732Entry Level (P10)$38,231$37,644Top Earner (P90)$69,240$96,586US Median $55,895

Verdict

Farmington, NM offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Clovis.

The salary gap between Clovis and Farmington is $9,625 (19.21%). Farmington's median is +6.86% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Clovis spans $31,009,Farmington spans $58,942. Farmington has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Clovis
P10 (Entry)$38,231
P25$44,290
Median$50,107
P75$57,693
P90 (Top)$69,240
Farmington
P10 (Entry)$37,644
P25$47,627
Median$59,732
P75$85,969
P90 (Top)$96,586

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Farmington ($68,104 effective) pays 28.31% more than Clovis ($53,079 effective).

Clovis
Nominal: $50,107
CoL Index: 94.4
Adjusted: $53,079
Farmington
Nominal: $59,732
CoL Index: 87.707
Adjusted: $68,104

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Clovis if…

  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Choose Farmington if…

  • Higher median salary ($59,732/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($96,586)
  • Larger job market (500 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,104)
  • You prefer the New Mexico area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Clovis grew 7.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.9% growth in Farmington over the same period.

Clovis, NM

+7.5%

$44,823 (2024) → $48,184 (2025)

Farmington, NM

+-6.9%

$61,720 (2019) → $57,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Clovis or Farmington?

Farmington has a higher median welder salary at $59,732/year, compared to Clovis at $50,107/year — a difference of $9,625 (19.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Clovis and Farmington?

Clovis welders earn $24.09/hr while Farmington hygienists earn $28.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Clovis to Farmington as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Clovis and Farmington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Clovis = $53,079, Farmington = $68,104), job availability (7 vs 500 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Clovis vs Farmington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $38,231 in Clovis and $37,644 in Farmington. The Clovis 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