Welders Salary

South Kingstown vs Warwick: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between South Kingstown, RI and Warwick, RI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

South Kingstown, RI
$53,323
$25.63/hr
Warwick, RI
$56,020
$26.93/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSouth Kingstown, RIWarwick, RI
Median Salary$53,323$56,020
Hourly Rate$25.63$26.93
Entry Level (P10)$40,424$40,449
25th Percentile$47,107$48,183
75th Percentile$62,440$66,045
Top Earner (P90)$75,662$81,015
Total Employed516
Side-by-side bar chart comparing South Kingstown ($53,323) and Warwick ($56,020) welder salaries.South KingstownWarwickMedian Salary$53,323$56,020Entry Level (P10)$40,424$40,449Top Earner (P90)$75,662$81,015US Median $55,895

Verdict

Warwick, RI offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to South Kingstown.

The salary gap between South Kingstown and Warwick is $2,697 (5.06%). Warwick's median is +0.22% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in South Kingstown spans $35,238,Warwick spans $40,566. Warwick has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

South Kingstown
P10 (Entry)$40,424
P25$47,107
Median$53,323
P75$62,440
P90 (Top)$75,662
Warwick
P10 (Entry)$40,449
P25$48,183
Median$56,020
P75$66,045
P90 (Top)$81,015

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Warwick ($55,741 effective) pays 5.06% more than South Kingstown ($53,058 effective).

South Kingstown
Nominal: $53,323
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $53,058
Warwick
Nominal: $56,020
CoL Index: 100.5
Adjusted: $55,741

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose South Kingstown if…

  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Choose Warwick if…

  • Higher median salary ($56,020/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($81,015)
  • Larger job market (16 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,741)
  • You prefer the Rhode Island area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in South Kingstown grew -4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -5.2% growth in Warwick over the same period.

South Kingstown, RI

+-4.0%

$53,423 (2024) → $51,277 (2025)

Warwick, RI

+-5.2%

$56,847 (2024) → $53,871 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: South Kingstown or Warwick?

Warwick has a higher median welder salary at $56,020/year, compared to South Kingstown at $53,323/year — a difference of $2,697 (5.06%).

What is the hourly rate difference between South Kingstown and Warwick?

South Kingstown welders earn $25.63/hr while Warwick hygienists earn $26.93/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from South Kingstown to Warwick as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing South Kingstown and Warwick. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: South Kingstown = $53,058, Warwick = $55,741), job availability (5 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in South Kingstown vs Warwick?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,424 in South Kingstown and $40,449 in Warwick. The Warwick 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