Welders Salary

Kiryas Joel vs Rochester: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Kiryas Joel, NY and Rochester, NY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kiryas Joel, NY
$60,793
$29.22/hr
Rochester, NY
$59,409
$28.57/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKiryas Joel, NYRochester, NY
Median Salary$60,793$59,409
Hourly Rate$29.22$28.57
Entry Level (P10)$46,598$40,348
25th Percentile$51,381$49,520
75th Percentile$67,718$65,129
Top Earner (P90)$81,726$73,334
Total Employed200650
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kiryas Joel ($60,793) and Rochester ($59,409) welder salaries.Kiryas JoelRochesterMedian Salary$60,793$59,409Entry Level (P10)$46,598$40,348Top Earner (P90)$81,726$73,334US Median $55,895

Verdict

Kiryas Joel, NY offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Rochester.

The salary gap between Kiryas Joel and Rochester is $1,384 (2.33%). Kiryas Joel's median is +8.76% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kiryas Joel spans $35,128,Rochester spans $32,986. Kiryas Joel has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kiryas Joel
P10 (Entry)$46,598
P25$51,381
Median$60,793
P75$67,718
P90 (Top)$81,726
Rochester
P10 (Entry)$40,348
P25$49,520
Median$59,409
P75$65,129
P90 (Top)$73,334

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Rochester ($61,224 effective) pays 10.20% more than Kiryas Joel ($55,558 effective).

Kiryas Joel
Nominal: $60,793
CoL Index: 109.422
Adjusted: $55,558
Rochester
Nominal: $59,409
CoL Index: 97.035
Adjusted: $61,224

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kiryas Joel if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,793/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,726)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Choose Rochester if…

  • Larger job market (650 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,224)
  • You prefer the New York area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Kiryas Joel grew 6.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 35.0% growth in Rochester over the same period.

Kiryas Joel, NY

+6.0%

$55,150 (2024) → $58,460 (2025)

Rochester, NY

+35.0%

$42,330 (2019) → $57,130 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Kiryas Joel or Rochester?

Kiryas Joel has a higher median welder salary at $60,793/year, compared to Rochester at $59,409/year — a difference of $1,384 (2.33%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kiryas Joel and Rochester?

Kiryas Joel welders earn $29.22/hr while Rochester hygienists earn $28.57/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kiryas Joel to Rochester as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kiryas Joel and Rochester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kiryas Joel = $55,558, Rochester = $61,224), job availability (200 vs 650 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Kiryas Joel vs Rochester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $46,598 in Kiryas Joel and $40,348 in Rochester. The Kiryas Joel 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