Welders Salary

Greensboro vs Salisbury: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Greensboro, NC and Salisbury, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greensboro, NC
$56,342
$27.09/hr
Salisbury, NC
$51,851
$24.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreensboro, NCSalisbury, NC
Median Salary$56,342$51,851
Hourly Rate$27.09$24.93
Entry Level (P10)$41,731$38,146
25th Percentile$48,335$44,827
75th Percentile$65,046$58,687
Top Earner (P90)$73,365$70,049
Total Employed1,1806
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greensboro ($56,342) and Salisbury ($51,851) welder salaries.GreensboroSalisburyMedian Salary$56,342$51,851Entry Level (P10)$41,731$38,146Top Earner (P90)$73,365$70,049US Median $55,895

Verdict

Greensboro, NC offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Salisbury.

The salary gap between Greensboro and Salisbury is $4,491 (8.66%). Greensboro's median is +0.80% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greensboro spans $31,634,Salisbury spans $31,903. Salisbury has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Greensboro
P10 (Entry)$41,731
P25$48,335
Median$56,342
P75$65,046
P90 (Top)$73,365
Salisbury
P10 (Entry)$38,146
P25$44,827
Median$51,851
P75$58,687
P90 (Top)$70,049

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greensboro ($60,671 effective) pays 9.52% more than Salisbury ($55,396 effective).

Greensboro
Nominal: $56,342
CoL Index: 92.865
Adjusted: $60,671
Salisbury
Nominal: $51,851
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $55,396

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greensboro if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,342/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($73,365)
  • Larger job market (1,180 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,671)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Salisbury if…

  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Greensboro grew 40.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 12.9% growth in Salisbury over the same period.

Greensboro, NC

+40.6%

$38,540 (2019) → $54,180 (2025)

Salisbury, NC

+12.9%

$44,150 (2024) → $49,862 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Greensboro or Salisbury?

Greensboro has a higher median welder salary at $56,342/year, compared to Salisbury at $51,851/year — a difference of $4,491 (8.66%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greensboro and Salisbury?

Greensboro welders earn $27.09/hr while Salisbury hygienists earn $24.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greensboro to Salisbury as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greensboro and Salisbury. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greensboro = $60,671, Salisbury = $55,396), job availability (1,180 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Greensboro vs Salisbury?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $41,731 in Greensboro and $38,146 in Salisbury. The Greensboro 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