Welders Salary

Jeffersontown vs Louisville/Jefferson County: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Jeffersontown, KY and Louisville/Jefferson County, KY. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Jeffersontown, KY
$51,991
$25.00/hr
Louisville/Jefferson County, KY
$52,900
$25.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricJeffersontown, KYLouisville/Jefferson County, KY
Median Salary$51,991$52,900
Hourly Rate$25.00$25.44
Entry Level (P10)$39,586$42,709
25th Percentile$45,936$49,333
75th Percentile$60,924$62,737
Top Earner (P90)$73,651$73,167
Total Employed51,790
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Jeffersontown ($51,991) and Louisville/Jefferson County ($52,900) welder salaries.JeffersontownLouisville/Jefferson CountyMedian Salary$51,991$52,900Entry Level (P10)$39,586$42,709Top Earner (P90)$73,651$73,167US Median $55,895

Verdict

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Jeffersontown.

The salary gap between Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County is $909 (1.75%). Louisville/Jefferson County's median is -5.36% 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,Louisville/Jefferson County spans $30,458. 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
Louisville/Jefferson County
P10 (Entry)$42,709
P25$49,333
Median$52,900
P75$62,737
P90 (Top)$73,167

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Jeffersontown ($58,221 effective) pays 2.44% more than Louisville/Jefferson County ($56,836 effective).

Jeffersontown
Nominal: $51,991
CoL Index: 89.3
Adjusted: $58,221
Louisville/Jefferson County
Nominal: $52,900
CoL Index: 93.074
Adjusted: $56,836

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $58,221)
  • You prefer the Kentucky area and lifestyle

Choose Louisville/Jefferson County if…

  • Higher median salary ($52,900/year)
  • Larger job market (1,790 employed)
  • 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 25.9% growth in Louisville/Jefferson County over the same period.

Jeffersontown, KY

+22.9%

$40,692 (2024) → $49,996 (2025)

Louisville/Jefferson County, KY

+25.9%

$40,400 (2019) → $50,870 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Jeffersontown or Louisville/Jefferson County?

Louisville/Jefferson County has a higher median welder salary at $52,900/year, compared to Jeffersontown at $51,991/year — a difference of $909 (1.75%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County?

Jeffersontown welders earn $25.00/hr while Louisville/Jefferson County hygienists earn $25.44/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Jeffersontown to Louisville/Jefferson County as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Jeffersontown and Louisville/Jefferson County. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Jeffersontown = $58,221, Louisville/Jefferson County = $56,836), job availability (5 vs 1,790 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Jeffersontown vs Louisville/Jefferson County?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $39,586 in Jeffersontown and $42,709 in Louisville/Jefferson County. The Louisville/Jefferson County 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