Welders Salary

Gulfport vs Vicksburg: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Gulfport, MS and Vicksburg, MS. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Gulfport, MS
$65,971
$31.72/hr
Vicksburg, MS
$45,992
$22.11/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGulfport, MSVicksburg, MS
Median Salary$65,971$45,992
Hourly Rate$31.72$22.11
Entry Level (P10)$40,515$35,616
25th Percentile$53,139$40,864
75th Percentile$65,971$52,630
Top Earner (P90)$65,971$61,041
Total Employed2,2206
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Gulfport ($65,971) and Vicksburg ($45,992) welder salaries.GulfportVicksburgMedian Salary$65,971$45,992Entry Level (P10)$40,515$35,616Top Earner (P90)$65,971$61,041US Median $55,895

Verdict

Gulfport, MS offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Vicksburg.

The salary gap between Gulfport and Vicksburg is $19,979 (43.44%). Gulfport's median is +18.03% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Gulfport spans $25,456,Vicksburg spans $25,425. Gulfport has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Gulfport
P10 (Entry)$40,515
P25$53,139
Median$65,971
P75$65,971
P90 (Top)$65,971
Vicksburg
P10 (Entry)$35,616
P25$40,864
Median$45,992
P75$52,630
P90 (Top)$61,041

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Gulfport ($73,296 effective) pays 36.58% more than Vicksburg ($53,666 effective).

Gulfport
Nominal: $65,971
CoL Index: 90.006
Adjusted: $73,296
Vicksburg
Nominal: $45,992
CoL Index: 85.7
Adjusted: $53,666

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Gulfport if…

  • Higher median salary ($65,971/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($65,971)
  • Larger job market (2,220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $73,296)
  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Choose Vicksburg if…

  • You prefer the Mississippi area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Gulfport grew 13.0% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 22.2% growth in Vicksburg over the same period.

Gulfport, MS

+13.0%

$56,130 (2019) → $63,440 (2025)

Vicksburg, MS

+22.2%

$36,204 (2024) → $44,227 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Gulfport or Vicksburg?

Gulfport has a higher median welder salary at $65,971/year, compared to Vicksburg at $45,992/year — a difference of $19,979 (43.44%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Gulfport and Vicksburg?

Gulfport welders earn $31.72/hr while Vicksburg hygienists earn $22.11/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Gulfport to Vicksburg as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Gulfport and Vicksburg. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Gulfport = $73,296, Vicksburg = $53,666), job availability (2,220 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Gulfport vs Vicksburg?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,515 in Gulfport and $35,616 in Vicksburg. The Gulfport 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