Welders Salary

Greenville vs Simpsonville: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Greenville, SC and Simpsonville, SC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Greenville, SC
$51,090
$24.56/hr
Simpsonville, SC
$49,499
$23.79/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGreenville, SCSimpsonville, SC
Median Salary$51,090$49,499
Hourly Rate$24.56$23.79
Entry Level (P10)$41,586$38,535
25th Percentile$47,804$44,167
75th Percentile$59,295$56,855
Top Earner (P90)$65,867$67,558
Total Employed1,7605
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Greenville ($51,090) and Simpsonville ($49,499) welder salaries.GreenvilleSimpsonvilleMedian Salary$51,090$49,499Entry Level (P10)$41,586$38,535Top Earner (P90)$65,867$67,558US Median $55,895

Verdict

Greenville, SC offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Simpsonville.

The salary gap between Greenville and Simpsonville is $1,591 (3.21%). Greenville's median is -8.60% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Greenville spans $24,281,Simpsonville spans $29,023. Simpsonville has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Greenville
P10 (Entry)$41,586
P25$47,804
Median$51,090
P75$59,295
P90 (Top)$65,867
Simpsonville
P10 (Entry)$38,535
P25$44,167
Median$49,499
P75$56,855
P90 (Top)$67,558

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Greenville ($54,782 effective) pays 1.27% more than Simpsonville ($54,097 effective).

Greenville
Nominal: $51,090
CoL Index: 93.26
Adjusted: $54,782
Simpsonville
Nominal: $49,499
CoL Index: 91.5
Adjusted: $54,097

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Greenville if…

  • Higher median salary ($51,090/year)
  • Larger job market (1,760 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,782)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Simpsonville if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($67,558)
  • You prefer the South Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Greenville grew 15.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.4% growth in Simpsonville over the same period.

Greenville, SC

+15.7%

$42,470 (2019) → $49,130 (2025)

Simpsonville, SC

+17.4%

$40,532 (2024) → $47,600 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Greenville or Simpsonville?

Greenville has a higher median welder salary at $51,090/year, compared to Simpsonville at $49,499/year — a difference of $1,591 (3.21%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Greenville and Simpsonville?

Greenville welders earn $24.56/hr while Simpsonville hygienists earn $23.79/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Greenville to Simpsonville as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Greenville and Simpsonville. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Greenville = $54,782, Simpsonville = $54,097), job availability (1,760 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Greenville vs Simpsonville?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $41,586 in Greenville and $38,535 in Simpsonville. The Greenville 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