Welders Salary

Dallas vs Sugar Land: Welder Salary (2026)

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

Dallas, TX
$53,690
$25.81/hr
Sugar Land, TX
$50,373
$24.22/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXSugar Land, TX
Median Salary$53,690$50,373
Hourly Rate$25.81$24.22
Entry Level (P10)$40,774$37,200
25th Percentile$48,023$43,914
75th Percentile$65,171$59,900
Top Earner (P90)$79,989$74,173
Total Employed10,62021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($53,690) and Sugar Land ($50,373) welder salaries.DallasSugar LandMedian Salary$53,690$50,373Entry Level (P10)$40,774$37,200Top Earner (P90)$79,989$74,173US Median $55,895

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Dallas and Sugar Land is $3,317 (6.58%). 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,Sugar Land spans $36,973. 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
Sugar Land
P10 (Entry)$37,200
P25$43,914
Median$50,373
P75$59,900
P90 (Top)$74,173

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sugar Land ($52,472 effective) pays 0.75% more than Dallas ($52,081 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $53,690
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $52,081
Sugar Land
Nominal: $50,373
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $52,472

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)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Sugar Land if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $52,472)
  • 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 Sugar Land over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+30.9%

$39,430 (2019) → $51,630 (2025)

Sugar Land, TX

+-6.3%

$51,690 (2024) → $48,440 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Dallas or Sugar Land?

Dallas has a higher median welder salary at $53,690/year, compared to Sugar Land at $50,373/year — a difference of $3,317 (6.58%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and Sugar Land?

Dallas welders earn $25.81/hr while Sugar Land hygienists earn $24.22/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to Sugar Land as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and Sugar Land. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $52,081, Sugar Land = $52,472), job availability (10,620 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Dallas vs Sugar Land?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,774 in Dallas and $37,200 in Sugar Land. 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