Welders Salary

San Antonio vs Corpus Christi: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between San Antonio, TX and Corpus Christi, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

San Antonio, TX
$50,144
$24.10/hr
Corpus Christi, TX
$61,822
$29.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSan Antonio, TXCorpus Christi, TX
Median Salary$50,144$61,822
Hourly Rate$24.10$29.72
Entry Level (P10)$39,755$39,911
25th Percentile$46,806$45,558
75th Percentile$63,361$73,926
Top Earner (P90)$76,745$79,157
Total Employed2,5101,280
Side-by-side bar chart comparing San Antonio ($50,144) and Corpus Christi ($61,822) welder salaries.San AntonioCorpus ChristiMedian Salary$50,144$61,822Entry Level (P10)$39,755$39,911Top Earner (P90)$76,745$79,157US Median $55,895

Verdict

Corpus Christi, TX offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between San Antonio and Corpus Christi is $11,678 (23.29%). Corpus Christi's median is +10.60% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in San Antonio spans $36,990,Corpus Christi spans $39,246. Corpus Christi has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$39,755
P25$46,806
Median$50,144
P75$63,361
P90 (Top)$76,745
Corpus Christi
P10 (Entry)$39,911
P25$45,558
Median$61,822
P75$73,926
P90 (Top)$79,157

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Corpus Christi ($66,711 effective) pays 26.01% more than San Antonio ($52,941 effective).

San Antonio
Nominal: $50,144
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $52,941
Corpus Christi
Nominal: $61,822
CoL Index: 92.671
Adjusted: $66,711

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Larger job market (2,510 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Corpus Christi if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,822/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,157)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,711)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in San Antonio grew 15.9% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 23.0% growth in Corpus Christi over the same period.

San Antonio, TX

+15.9%

$41,620 (2019) → $48,220 (2025)

Corpus Christi, TX

+23.0%

$48,320 (2019) → $59,450 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: San Antonio or Corpus Christi?

Corpus Christi has a higher median welder salary at $61,822/year, compared to San Antonio at $50,144/year — a difference of $11,678 (23.29%).

What is the hourly rate difference between San Antonio and Corpus Christi?

San Antonio welders earn $24.10/hr while Corpus Christi hygienists earn $29.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from San Antonio to Corpus Christi as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing San Antonio and Corpus Christi. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: San Antonio = $52,941, Corpus Christi = $66,711), job availability (2,510 vs 1,280 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in San Antonio vs Corpus Christi?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $39,755 in San Antonio and $39,911 in Corpus Christi. The Corpus Christi 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