Welders Salary

Dallas vs Del Rio: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Dallas, TX and Del Rio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$53,690
$25.81/hr
Del Rio, TX
$49,734
$23.91/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXDel Rio, TX
Median Salary$53,690$49,734
Hourly Rate$25.81$23.91
Entry Level (P10)$40,774$36,739
25th Percentile$48,023$43,108
75th Percentile$65,171$56,399
Top Earner (P90)$79,989$67,367
Total Employed10,6209
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($53,690) and Del Rio ($49,734) welder salaries.DallasDel RioMedian Salary$53,690$49,734Entry Level (P10)$40,774$36,739Top Earner (P90)$79,989$67,367US Median $55,895

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Del Rio.

The salary gap between Dallas and Del Rio is $3,956 (7.95%). Dallas's median is -3.94% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $39,215,Del Rio spans $30,628. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$40,774
P25$48,023
Median$53,690
P75$65,171
P90 (Top)$79,989
Del Rio
P10 (Entry)$36,739
P25$43,108
Median$49,734
P75$56,399
P90 (Top)$67,367

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Dallas ($52,081 effective) pays 0.53% more than Del Rio ($51,806 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $53,690
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $52,081
Del Rio
Nominal: $49,734
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $51,806

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,690/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,989)
  • Larger job market (10,620 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,081)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Del Rio if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Dallas grew 30.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.3% growth in Del Rio over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+30.9%

$39,430 (2019) → $51,630 (2025)

Del Rio, TX

+-6.3%

$51,035 (2024) → $47,826 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Dallas or Del Rio?

Dallas has a higher median welder salary at $53,690/year, compared to Del Rio at $49,734/year — a difference of $3,956 (7.95%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Del Rio?

Dallas welders earn $25.81/hr while Del Rio hygienists earn $23.91/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Del Rio as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Del Rio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $52,081, Del Rio = $51,806), job availability (10,620 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Dallas vs Del Rio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,774 in Dallas and $36,739 in Del Rio. The Dallas 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