How does a Welder's salary in Houston compare to the rest of Texas?

Houston's cost of living index is 101 vs. the national average of 100, so salaries are adjusted upward accordingly. A Welder earning the city-adjusted median of $48,015 earns $19,785 less than the median household income in Houston ($67,800).

Welder Salary in Houston, TX — 2026 Guide

Estimated salaries are adjusted for Houston's cost of living (index: 101). National data from BLS OEWS 2024; city adjustments reflect local market conditions.

Welder Salary in Houston — Key Numbers

$48,015

Median Salary

$37,845

25th Percentile

$61,085

75th Percentile

$77,295

90th Percentile

National median (Welder)$47,540

vs. National median+1.0%

Houston median household income$67,800

vs. City household income-29.2%

Cost of Living in Houston

Cost of Living Index

101(100 = avg)

Median Monthly Rent$1,262/mo

Rent-to-Income Ratio31.5%

Annual rent cost$15,144

Median Home Price$320,000

Home Price / Salary6.7×

20% Down Payment$64,000

Years to save (20% rate)6.7 yrs

Rent-to-income below 28% is considered affordable; above 35% is cost-burdened. Home price multiple below 3× is affordable; above 5× is expensive by traditional guidelines.

Job Market in Houston

4.2%

Unemployment Rate

7,470,000

Metro Population

29 min

Avg Commute

34.5

Median Age

Houston has a metro population of 7,470,000, offering a large, diverse job market with many employers across all industries. The 4.2% unemployment rate is near the national average.

Financial Calculators for Houston

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Cost of Living — Houston

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Welder Salary in Texas

Statewide salary breakdown

Other Professions in Houston

Physician$231,593 Chief Executive Officer$212,100 Dentist$177,265 IT Manager$171,205 Marketing Manager$159,196 Lawyer$147,218

Welder Salary — Other Texas Cities

Dallas, TX$49,917 San Antonio, TX$43,737 Austin, TX$57,523 Fort Worth, TX$47,065 El Paso, TX$39,934

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does a Welder make in Houston, TX?

The estimated median salary for a Welder in Houston is $48,015 per year (2026). This is derived from the national BLS median of $47,540 adjusted by Houston's cost of living index (101). The typical salary range runs from $37,845 (25th percentile) to $61,085 (75th percentile), with top earners reaching $77,295.

Is Houston affordable for a Welder?

On a $48,015 annual salary, a Welder in Houston would spend approximately 31.5% of gross monthly income on median rent ($1,262/month). This is approaching the 30–35% cost-burden threshold; careful budgeting is recommended. The median home price of $320,000 is 6.7× the annual salary.

How does a Welder's salary compare to Houston's overall income?

Houston's median household income is $67,800. A Welder earning the city-adjusted median of $48,015 earns 29.2% less than the typical Houston household income. This may reflect that the profession is entry-level or that Houston has a particularly high median household income due to high-earning industries.

Explore More Salary Data

Welder — National Welder in Texas All Salary Guides

Salary data from U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS, 2024 release. City salary estimates adjusted by cost of living index. City data from Census Bureau, BLS, Zillow, and ApartmentAdvisor (2024–2025). Last updated: March 2026.