Welders Salary

Greenfield vs Madison: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Greenfield, WI and Madison, WI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenfield, WI
$61,198
$29.42/hr
Madison, WI
$61,905
$29.76/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenfield, WIMadison, WI
Median Salary$61,198$61,905
Hourly Rate$29.42$29.76
Entry Level (P10)$46,273$46,941
25th Percentile$53,784$52,858
75th Percentile$70,070$65,368
Top Earner (P90)$84,225$74,114
Total Employed91,010
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenfield ($61,198) and Madison ($61,905) welder salaries.GreenfieldMadisonMedian Salary$61,198$61,905Entry Level (P10)$46,273$46,941Top Earner (P90)$84,225$74,114US Median $55,895

Verdict

Madison, WI offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Greenfield.

The salary gap between Greenfield and Madison is $707 (1.16%). Madison's median is +10.75% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenfield spans $37,952,Madison spans $27,173. Greenfield has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Greenfield
P10 (Entry)$46,273
P25$53,784
Median$61,198
P75$70,070
P90 (Top)$84,225
Madison
P10 (Entry)$46,941
P25$52,858
Median$61,905
P75$65,368
P90 (Top)$74,114

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenfield ($65,522 effective) pays 2.97% more than Madison ($63,631 effective).

Greenfield
Nominal: $61,198
CoL Index: 93.4
Adjusted: $65,522
Madison
Nominal: $61,905
CoL Index: 97.287
Adjusted: $63,631

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenfield if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($84,225)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,522)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Choose Madison if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,905/year)
  • Larger job market (1,010 employed)
  • You prefer the Wisconsin area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Greenfield grew 17.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 33.0% growth in Madison over the same period.

Greenfield, WI

+17.4%

$50,138 (2024) → $58,850 (2025)

Madison, WI

+33.0%

$44,750 (2019) → $59,530 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Greenfield or Madison?

Madison has a higher median welder salary at $61,905/year, compared to Greenfield at $61,198/year — a difference of $707 (1.16%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenfield and Madison?

Greenfield welders earn $29.42/hr while Madison hygienists earn $29.76/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenfield to Madison as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenfield and Madison. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenfield = $65,522, Madison = $63,631), job availability (9 vs 1,010 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Greenfield vs Madison?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $46,273 in Greenfield and $46,941 in Madison. The Madison 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