Welders Salary

Indianapolis vs Jeffersonville: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Indianapolis, IN and Jeffersonville, IN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Indianapolis, IN
$53,108
$25.53/hr
Jeffersonville, IN
$49,683
$23.89/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricIndianapolis, INJeffersonville, IN
Median Salary$53,108$49,683
Hourly Rate$25.53$23.89
Entry Level (P10)$39,194$39,074
25th Percentile$48,449$44,778
75th Percentile$65,046$56,102
Top Earner (P90)$79,168$70,151
Total Employed2,79011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Indianapolis ($53,108) and Jeffersonville ($49,683) welder salaries.IndianapolisJeffersonvilleMedian Salary$53,108$49,683Entry Level (P10)$39,194$39,074Top Earner (P90)$79,168$70,151US Median $55,895

Verdict

Indianapolis, IN offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersonville.

The salary gap between Indianapolis and Jeffersonville is $3,425 (6.89%). Indianapolis's median is -4.99% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Indianapolis spans $39,974,Jeffersonville spans $31,077. Indianapolis has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Indianapolis
P10 (Entry)$39,194
P25$48,449
Median$53,108
P75$65,046
P90 (Top)$79,168
Jeffersonville
P10 (Entry)$39,074
P25$44,778
Median$49,683
P75$56,102
P90 (Top)$70,151

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Indianapolis ($55,497 effective) pays 1.98% more than Jeffersonville ($54,417 effective).

Indianapolis
Nominal: $53,108
CoL Index: 95.696
Adjusted: $55,497
Jeffersonville
Nominal: $49,683
CoL Index: 91.3
Adjusted: $54,417

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Indianapolis if…

  • Higher median salary ($53,108/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,168)
  • Larger job market (2,790 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,497)
  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Choose Jeffersonville if…

  • You prefer the Indiana area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Indianapolis grew 22.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 4.5% growth in Jeffersonville over the same period.

Indianapolis, IN

+22.2%

$41,780 (2019) → $51,070 (2025)

Jeffersonville, IN

+4.5%

$45,740 (2024) → $47,777 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Indianapolis or Jeffersonville?

Indianapolis has a higher median welder salary at $53,108/year, compared to Jeffersonville at $49,683/year — a difference of $3,425 (6.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Indianapolis and Jeffersonville?

Indianapolis welders earn $25.53/hr while Jeffersonville hygienists earn $23.89/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Indianapolis to Jeffersonville as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Indianapolis and Jeffersonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Indianapolis = $55,497, Jeffersonville = $54,417), job availability (2,790 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Indianapolis vs Jeffersonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $39,194 in Indianapolis and $39,074 in Jeffersonville. The Indianapolis 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