Welders Salary

Enterprise vs Huntsville: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Enterprise, AL and Huntsville, AL. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Enterprise, AL
$48,157
$23.15/hr
Huntsville, AL
$45,776
$22.01/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEnterprise, ALHuntsville, AL
Median Salary$48,157$45,776
Hourly Rate$23.15$22.01
Entry Level (P10)$38,198$38,799
25th Percentile$43,641$38,799
75th Percentile$54,682$53,513
Top Earner (P90)$65,289$63,403
Total Employed61,810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Enterprise ($48,157) and Huntsville ($45,776) welder salaries.EnterpriseHuntsvilleMedian Salary$48,157$45,776Entry Level (P10)$38,198$38,799Top Earner (P90)$65,289$63,403US Median $55,895

Verdict

Enterprise, AL offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Huntsville.

The salary gap between Enterprise and Huntsville is $2,381 (5.20%). Enterprise's median is -13.84% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Enterprise spans $27,091,Huntsville spans $24,604. Enterprise has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Enterprise
P10 (Entry)$38,198
P25$43,641
Median$48,157
P75$54,682
P90 (Top)$65,289
Huntsville
P10 (Entry)$38,799
P25$38,799
Median$45,776
P75$53,513
P90 (Top)$63,403

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Enterprise ($54,786 effective) pays 11.39% more than Huntsville ($49,183 effective).

Enterprise
Nominal: $48,157
CoL Index: 87.9
Adjusted: $54,786
Huntsville
Nominal: $45,776
CoL Index: 93.072
Adjusted: $49,183

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Enterprise if…

  • Higher median salary ($48,157/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,289)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,786)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Choose Huntsville if…

  • Larger job market (1,810 employed)
  • You prefer the Alabama area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Enterprise grew 18.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 22.0% growth in Huntsville over the same period.

Enterprise, AL

+18.4%

$39,116 (2024) → $46,309 (2025)

Huntsville, AL

+22.0%

$36,080 (2019) → $44,020 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Enterprise or Huntsville?

Enterprise has a higher median welder salary at $48,157/year, compared to Huntsville at $45,776/year — a difference of $2,381 (5.20%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Enterprise and Huntsville?

Enterprise welders earn $23.15/hr while Huntsville hygienists earn $22.01/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Enterprise to Huntsville as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Enterprise and Huntsville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Enterprise = $54,786, Huntsville = $49,183), job availability (6 vs 1,810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Enterprise vs Huntsville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $38,198 in Enterprise and $38,799 in Huntsville. The Huntsville 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