Welders Salary

Elizabethtown vs Jeffersontown: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Elizabethtown, KY and Jeffersontown, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Elizabethtown, KY
$62,290
$29.95/hr
Jeffersontown, KY
$51,991
$25.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricElizabethtown, KYJeffersontown, KY
Median Salary$62,290$51,991
Hourly Rate$29.95$25.00
Entry Level (P10)$50,914$39,586
25th Percentile$53,524$45,936
75th Percentile$67,781$60,924
Top Earner (P90)$73,937$73,651
Total Employed6605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Elizabethtown ($62,290) and Jeffersontown ($51,991) welder salaries.ElizabethtownJeffersontownMedian Salary$62,290$51,991Entry Level (P10)$50,914$39,586Top Earner (P90)$73,937$73,651US Median $55,895

Verdict

Elizabethtown, KY offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersontown.

The salary gap between Elizabethtown and Jeffersontown is $10,299 (19.81%). Elizabethtown's median is +11.44% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Elizabethtown spans $23,023,Jeffersontown spans $34,065. Jeffersontown has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Elizabethtown
P10 (Entry)$50,914
P25$53,524
Median$62,290
P75$67,781
P90 (Top)$73,937
Jeffersontown
P10 (Entry)$39,586
P25$45,936
Median$51,991
P75$60,924
P90 (Top)$73,651

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Elizabethtown ($68,774 effective) pays 18.13% more than Jeffersontown ($58,221 effective).

Elizabethtown
Nominal: $62,290
CoL Index: 90.572
Adjusted: $68,774
Jeffersontown
Nominal: $51,991
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $58,221

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Elizabethtown if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,290/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,937)
  • Larger job market (660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $68,774)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersontown if…

  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Elizabethtown grew 24.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.9% growth in Jeffersontown over the same period.

Elizabethtown, KY

+24.4%

$48,160 (2019) → $59,900 (2025)

Jeffersontown, KY

+22.9%

$40,692 (2024) → $49,996 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Elizabethtown or Jeffersontown?

Elizabethtown has a higher median welder salary at $62,290/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $51,991/year — a difference of $10,299 (19.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Elizabethtown and Jeffersontown?

Elizabethtown welders earn $29.95/hr while Jeffersontown hygienists earn $25.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Elizabethtown to Jeffersontown as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Elizabethtown and Jeffersontown. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Elizabethtown = $68,774, Jeffersontown = $58,221), job availability (660 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Elizabethtown vs Jeffersontown?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $50,914 in Elizabethtown and $39,586 in Jeffersontown. The Elizabethtown 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