Welders Salary

Jeffersontown vs Lexington: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Jeffersontown, KY and Lexington, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jeffersontown, KY
$51,991
$25.00/hr
Lexington, KY
$55,822
$26.84/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJeffersontown, KYLexington, KY
Median Salary$51,991$55,822
Hourly Rate$25.00$26.84
Entry Level (P10)$39,586$41,773
25th Percentile$45,936$49,281
75th Percentile$60,924$67,323
Top Earner (P90)$73,651$68,945
Total Employed5480
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jeffersontown ($51,991) and Lexington ($55,822) welder salaries.JeffersontownLexingtonMedian Salary$51,991$55,822Entry Level (P10)$39,586$41,773Top Earner (P90)$73,651$68,945US Median $55,895

Verdict

Lexington, KY offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersontown.

The salary gap between Jeffersontown and Lexington is $3,831 (7.37%). Lexington's median is -0.13% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Jeffersontown spans $34,065,Lexington spans $27,172. Jeffersontown has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Jeffersontown
P10 (Entry)$39,586
P25$45,936
Median$51,991
P75$60,924
P90 (Top)$73,651
Lexington
P10 (Entry)$41,773
P25$49,281
Median$55,822
P75$67,323
P90 (Top)$68,945

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lexington ($60,095 effective) pays 3.22% more than Jeffersontown ($58,221 effective).

Jeffersontown
Nominal: $51,991
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $58,221
Lexington
Nominal: $55,822
CoL Index: 92.889
Adjusted: $60,095

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Jeffersontown if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($73,651)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Lexington if…

  • Higher median salary ($55,822/year)
  • Larger job market (480 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,095)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Jeffersontown grew 22.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 20.2% growth in Lexington over the same period.

Jeffersontown, KY

+22.9%

$40,692 (2024) → $49,996 (2025)

Lexington, KY

+20.2%

$44,650 (2019) → $53,680 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Jeffersontown or Lexington?

Lexington has a higher median welder salary at $55,822/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $51,991/year — a difference of $3,831 (7.37%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jeffersontown and Lexington?

Jeffersontown welders earn $25.00/hr while Lexington hygienists earn $26.84/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jeffersontown to Lexington as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jeffersontown and Lexington. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jeffersontown = $58,221, Lexington = $60,095), job availability (5 vs 480 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Jeffersontown vs Lexington?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $39,586 in Jeffersontown and $41,773 in Lexington. The Lexington 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