Welders Salary

Del City vs Lawton: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Del City, OK and Lawton, OK. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Del City, OK
$46,723
$22.46/hr
Lawton, OK
$51,704
$24.85/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDel City, OKLawton, OK
Median Salary$46,723$51,704
Hourly Rate$22.46$24.85
Entry Level (P10)$34,503$39,714
25th Percentile$43,184$39,714
75th Percentile$52,318$61,822
Top Earner (P90)$61,759$82,360
Total Employed480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Del City ($46,723) and Lawton ($51,704) welder salaries.Del CityLawtonMedian Salary$46,723$51,704Entry Level (P10)$34,503$39,714Top Earner (P90)$61,759$82,360US Median $55,895

Verdict

Lawton, OK offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Del City.

The salary gap between Del City and Lawton is $4,981 (10.66%). Lawton's median is -7.50% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Del City spans $27,256,Lawton spans $42,646. Lawton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Del City
P10 (Entry)$34,503
P25$43,184
Median$46,723
P75$52,318
P90 (Top)$61,759
Lawton
P10 (Entry)$39,714
P25$39,714
Median$51,704
P75$61,822
P90 (Top)$82,360

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lawton ($60,162 effective) pays 14.47% more than Del City ($52,557 effective).

Del City
Nominal: $46,723
CoL Index: 88.9
Adjusted: $52,557
Lawton
Nominal: $51,704
CoL Index: 85.941
Adjusted: $60,162

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Del City if…

  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Choose Lawton if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,704/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($82,360)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,162)
  • You prefer the Oklahoma area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Del City grew 7.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.1% growth in Lawton over the same period.

Del City, OK

+7.5%

$41,795 (2024) → $44,930 (2025)

Lawton, OK

+22.1%

$40,730 (2019) → $49,720 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Del City or Lawton?

Lawton has a higher median welder salary at $51,704/year, compared to Del City at $46,723/year — a difference of $4,981 (10.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Del City and Lawton?

Del City welders earn $22.46/hr while Lawton hygienists earn $24.85/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Del City to Lawton as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Del City and Lawton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Del City = $52,557, Lawton = $60,162), job availability (4 vs 80 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Del City vs Lawton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $34,503 in Del City and $39,714 in Lawton. The Lawton 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