Welders Salary

Houston vs Prosper: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Houston, TX and Prosper, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Houston, TX
$60,252
$28.97/hr
Prosper, TX
$48,377
$23.26/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHouston, TXProsper, TX
Median Salary$60,252$48,377
Hourly Rate$28.97$23.26
Entry Level (P10)$40,015$37,568
25th Percentile$48,324$43,247
75th Percentile$74,311$57,143
Top Earner (P90)$85,209$67,743
Total Employed15,8507
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Houston ($60,252) and Prosper ($48,377) welder salaries.HoustonProsperMedian Salary$60,252$48,377Entry Level (P10)$40,015$37,568Top Earner (P90)$85,209$67,743US Median $55,895

Verdict

Houston, TX offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Prosper.

The salary gap between Houston and Prosper is $11,875 (24.55%). Houston's median is +7.79% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Houston spans $45,194,Prosper spans $30,175. Houston has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Houston
P10 (Entry)$40,015
P25$48,324
Median$60,252
P75$74,311
P90 (Top)$85,209
Prosper
P10 (Entry)$37,568
P25$43,247
Median$48,377
P75$57,143
P90 (Top)$67,743

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Houston ($61,090 effective) pays 21.23% more than Prosper ($50,393 effective).

Houston
Nominal: $60,252
CoL Index: 98.629
Adjusted: $61,090
Prosper
Nominal: $48,377
CoL Index: 96
Adjusted: $50,393

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Houston if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,252/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($85,209)
  • Larger job market (15,850 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,090)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose Prosper if…

  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Houston grew 20.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.3% growth in Prosper over the same period.

Houston, TX

+20.7%

$47,990 (2019) → $57,940 (2025)

Prosper, TX

+-6.3%

$49,643 (2024) → $46,521 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Houston or Prosper?

Houston has a higher median welder salary at $60,252/year, compared to Prosper at $48,377/year — a difference of $11,875 (24.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Houston and Prosper?

Houston welders earn $28.97/hr while Prosper hygienists earn $23.26/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Houston to Prosper as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Houston and Prosper. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Houston = $61,090, Prosper = $50,393), job availability (15,850 vs 7 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Houston vs Prosper?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $40,015 in Houston and $37,568 in Prosper. The Houston 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