Welders Salary

Knoxville vs Mount Juliet: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Knoxville, TN and Mount Juliet, TN. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Knoxville, TN
$49,957
$24.02/hr
Mount Juliet, TN
$48,091
$23.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKnoxville, TNMount Juliet, TN
Median Salary$49,957$48,091
Hourly Rate$24.02$23.12
Entry Level (P10)$39,807$37,251
25th Percentile$42,698$42,968
75th Percentile$58,505$56,809
Top Earner (P90)$66,533$67,171
Total Employed1,7809
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Knoxville ($49,957) and Mount Juliet ($48,091) welder salaries.KnoxvilleMount JulietMedian Salary$49,957$48,091Entry Level (P10)$39,807$37,251Top Earner (P90)$66,533$67,171US Median $55,895

Verdict

Knoxville, TN offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Mount Juliet.

The salary gap between Knoxville and Mount Juliet is $1,866 (3.88%). Knoxville's median is -10.62% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Knoxville spans $26,726,Mount Juliet spans $29,920. Mount Juliet has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Knoxville
P10 (Entry)$39,807
P25$42,698
Median$49,957
P75$58,505
P90 (Top)$66,533
Mount Juliet
P10 (Entry)$37,251
P25$42,968
Median$48,091
P75$56,809
P90 (Top)$67,171

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Knoxville ($53,967 effective) pays 3.02% more than Mount Juliet ($52,387 effective).

Knoxville
Nominal: $49,957
CoL Index: 92.569
Adjusted: $53,967
Mount Juliet
Nominal: $48,091
CoL Index: 91.8
Adjusted: $52,387

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Knoxville if…

  • Higher median salary ($49,957/year)
  • Larger job market (1,780 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $53,967)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Choose Mount Juliet if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($67,171)
  • You prefer the Tennessee area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Knoxville grew 17.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 9.7% growth in Mount Juliet over the same period.

Knoxville, TN

+17.3%

$40,960 (2019) → $48,040 (2025)

Mount Juliet, TN

+9.7%

$42,173 (2024) → $46,246 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Knoxville or Mount Juliet?

Knoxville has a higher median welder salary at $49,957/year, compared to Mount Juliet at $48,091/year — a difference of $1,866 (3.88%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Knoxville and Mount Juliet?

Knoxville welders earn $24.02/hr while Mount Juliet hygienists earn $23.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Knoxville to Mount Juliet as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Knoxville and Mount Juliet. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Knoxville = $53,967, Mount Juliet = $52,387), job availability (1,780 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Knoxville vs Mount Juliet?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $39,807 in Knoxville and $37,251 in Mount Juliet. The Knoxville 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