Welders Salary

Lexington Park vs Wheaton: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Lexington Park, MD and Wheaton, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lexington Park, MD
$63,268
$30.42/hr
Wheaton, MD
$61,085
$29.37/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLexington Park, MDWheaton, MD
Median Salary$63,268$61,085
Hourly Rate$30.42$29.37
Entry Level (P10)$46,899$43,347
25th Percentile$48,865$51,782
75th Percentile$77,597$71,259
Top Earner (P90)$91,584$87,079
Total Employed8011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lexington Park ($63,268) and Wheaton ($61,085) welder salaries.Lexington ParkWheatonMedian Salary$63,268$61,085Entry Level (P10)$46,899$43,347Top Earner (P90)$91,584$87,079US Median $55,895

Verdict

Lexington Park, MD offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Wheaton.

The salary gap between Lexington Park and Wheaton is $2,183 (3.57%). Lexington Park's median is +13.19% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lexington Park spans $44,685,Wheaton spans $43,732. Lexington Park has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lexington Park
P10 (Entry)$46,899
P25$48,865
Median$63,268
P75$77,597
P90 (Top)$91,584
Wheaton
P10 (Entry)$43,347
P25$51,782
Median$61,085
P75$71,259
P90 (Top)$87,079

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington Park ($62,791 effective) pays 12.35% more than Wheaton ($55,887 effective).

Lexington Park
Nominal: $63,268
CoL Index: 100.76
Adjusted: $62,791
Wheaton
Nominal: $61,085
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $55,887

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lexington Park if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,268/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($91,584)
  • Larger job market (80 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,791)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Wheaton if…

  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Lexington Park grew -0.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -7.3% growth in Wheaton over the same period.

Lexington Park, MD

+-0.9%

$61,380 (2024) → $60,840 (2025)

Wheaton, MD

+-7.3%

$63,385 (2024) → $58,741 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Lexington Park or Wheaton?

Lexington Park has a higher median welder salary at $63,268/year, compared to Wheaton at $61,085/year — a difference of $2,183 (3.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lexington Park and Wheaton?

Lexington Park welders earn $30.42/hr while Wheaton hygienists earn $29.37/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lexington Park to Wheaton as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lexington Park and Wheaton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lexington Park = $62,791, Wheaton = $55,887), job availability (80 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Lexington Park vs Wheaton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $46,899 in Lexington Park and $43,347 in Wheaton. The Lexington Park 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