Welders Salary

Trenton vs Washington Township: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Trenton, NJ and Washington Township, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Trenton, NJ
$56,820
$27.32/hr
Washington Township, NJ
$63,655
$30.60/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricTrenton, NJWashington Township, NJ
Median Salary$56,820$63,655
Hourly Rate$27.32$30.60
Entry Level (P10)$47,347$47,267
25th Percentile$49,603$55,503
75th Percentile$69,330$73,828
Top Earner (P90)$86,187$89,157
Total Employed18012
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Trenton ($56,820) and Washington Township ($63,655) welder salaries.TrentonWashington TownshipMedian Salary$56,820$63,655Entry Level (P10)$47,347$47,267Top Earner (P90)$86,187$89,157US Median $55,895

Verdict

Washington Township, NJ offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Trenton.

The salary gap between Trenton and Washington Township is $6,835 (12.03%). Washington Township's median is +13.88% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Trenton spans $38,840,Washington Township spans $41,890. Washington Township has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Trenton
P10 (Entry)$47,347
P25$49,603
Median$56,820
P75$69,330
P90 (Top)$86,187
Washington Township
P10 (Entry)$47,267
P25$55,503
Median$63,655
P75$73,828
P90 (Top)$89,157

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Washington Township ($55,256 effective) pays 0.34% more than Trenton ($55,069 effective).

Trenton
Nominal: $56,820
CoL Index: 103.18
Adjusted: $55,069
Washington Township
Nominal: $63,655
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $55,256

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Trenton if…

  • Larger job market (180 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Washington Township if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,655/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($89,157)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $55,256)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Trenton grew 27.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -10.4% growth in Washington Township over the same period.

Trenton, NJ

+27.5%

$42,870 (2019) → $54,640 (2025)

Washington Township, NJ

+-10.4%

$68,331 (2024) → $61,213 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Trenton or Washington Township?

Washington Township has a higher median welder salary at $63,655/year, compared to Trenton at $56,820/year — a difference of $6,835 (12.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Trenton and Washington Township?

Trenton welders earn $27.32/hr while Washington Township hygienists earn $30.60/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Trenton to Washington Township as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Trenton and Washington Township. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Trenton = $55,069, Washington Township = $55,256), job availability (180 vs 12 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Trenton vs Washington Township?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $47,347 in Trenton and $47,267 in Washington Township. The Trenton 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