BLS wage data · May 2025 Skilled trades O*NET-SOC 51-4121 Tax year 2026

Welder after tax: what $53,750 becomes in every state

Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers play a critical role in construction and manufacturing sectors across the country. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics data, the national annual median wage for this occupation is $53,750. This figure represents the middle point of the earnings distribution, meaning half of the workers in the field earn less and half earn more. Understanding this baseline is essential for evaluating local job offers, as regional tax policies can significantly alter the final take-home amount.

Welder take-home at $53,750 — strongest and weakest states

Same gross wage everywhere: $53,750 a year. The four states keeping the most and the four keeping the least, ranked by take-home. Rent is the Zillow ZORI metro average for that state and is clearly labelled as a rent figure, not a tax.

State	State tax	Federal	FICA	Take-home / year	Take-home / month	Rent / month	Left after rent
Alaska no state income tax	$0	$4,270	$4,112	$45,368	$3,781	—	—
Florida no state income tax	$0	$4,270	$4,112	$45,368	$3,781	$2,076	$20,456
Nevada no state income tax	$0	$4,270	$4,112	$45,368	$3,781	$1,742	$24,464
New Hampshire no state income tax	$0	$4,270	$4,112	$45,368	$3,781	—	—
South Carolina flat 6.00%	$3,225	$4,270	$4,112	$42,143	$3,512	$1,569	$23,315
Vermont planning estimate	$3,225	$4,270	$4,112	$42,143	$3,512	—	—
District of Columbia planning estimate	$3,494	$4,270	$4,112	$41,874	$3,490	$2,433	$12,678
Oregon planning estimate	$3,763	$4,270	$4,112	$41,605	$3,467	$1,818	$19,789

State income tax on wages is zero in Alaska, Florida, Nevada, New Hampshire, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Washington, Wyoming — those states share the same take-home on this wage and only differ in what the local rent does to it.

Best and worst states for Welder

Five states that keep the most of a $53,750 wage and five that keep the least. The full 51-state table follows.

All 51 states →

Highest take-home

State	State tax	Take-home	/ month
1. Alaska	$0	$45,368	$3,781
2. Florida	$0	$45,368	$3,781
3. Nevada	$0	$45,368	$3,781
4. New Hampshire	$0	$45,368	$3,781
5. South Dakota	$0	$45,368	$3,781

Lowest take-home

State	State tax	Take-home	/ month
1. Oregon	$3,763	$41,605	$3,467
2. District of Columbia	$3,494	$41,874	$3,490
3. Vermont	$3,225	$42,143	$3,512
4. South Carolina	$3,225	$42,143	$3,512
5. Minnesota	$3,225	$42,143	$3,512

The gap between Alaska and Oregon is $3,763 a year on an identical $53,750 wage.

Where Welder pay sits nationally

BLS percentile wages for this occupation, and what each level leaves after 2026 federal, FICA and state tax in the best and the worst state on the page (Alaska and Oregon).

Wage level (BLS national)	Gross / year	Take-home in Alaska	Take-home in Oregon	Difference
10th percentile 'BLS national'	$39,240	$33,709	$30,962	$2,747
25th percentile 'BLS national'	$46,790	$39,776	$36,501	$3,275
Median 'BLS national'	$53,750	$45,368	$41,605	$3,763
75th percentile 'BLS national'	$63,010	$52,809	$48,398	$4,411
90th percentile 'BLS national'	$77,530	$63,372	$57,945	$5,427

Percentile wages are published BLS OEWS values for Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers; the take-home columns are the same engine used by every AfterTaxLab calculator. About 416,210 people work in this occupation nationwide.

How the state line moves this wage

The same $53,750 under different state tax models

The variation in take-home pay across the United States is largely driven by state-level tax policies. While federal obligations like FICA are identical in every state, your state of residence determines the remaining portion of your earnings. For instance, workers in states like Oregon face a higher tax burden compared to those in states with no income tax. A spread of $3,763 a year exists between the best and worst states for take-home pay at the median wage, highlighting the importance of geography.

For welders seeking to maximize their income, states with no state income tax on wages offer a distinct advantage. Alaska, Florida, Nevada, and others allow workers to retain a larger share of their gross pay compared to states with progressive or flat income taxes. While the gross earnings remain the same, the lack of a state tax levy means more money stays in your pocket each month. This difference can be a decisive factor when comparing job opportunities in different parts of the country.

All 51 states, ranked for Welder

Every state and DC, ranked by take-home on the same $53,750 gross wage. Rent is the ZORI metro average for the metros published in that state.

#	State	State tax	Take-home / year	Effective total tax	Rent / month
1	Alaska AK	$0	$45,368	15.6%	—
2	Florida FL	$0	$45,368	15.6%	$2,076
3	Nevada NV	$0	$45,368	15.6%	$1,742
4	New Hampshire NH	$0	$45,368	15.6%	—
5	South Dakota SD	$0	$45,368	15.6%	—
6	Tennessee TN	$0	$45,368	15.6%	$1,607
7	Texas TX	$0	$45,368	15.6%	$1,587
8	Washington WA	$0	$45,368	15.6%	$2,278
9	Wyoming WY	$0	$45,368	15.6%	—
10	Arizona AZ	$1,344	$44,024	18.1%	$1,603
11	California CA	$1,481	$43,887	18.3%	$2,861
12	North Dakota ND	$1,559	$43,809	18.5%	—
13	Louisiana LA	$1,613	$43,755	18.6%	$1,598
14	Ohio OH	$1,613	$43,755	18.6%	$1,499
15	Indiana IN	$1,639	$43,729	18.6%	$1,552
16	Pennsylvania PA	$1,650	$43,718	18.7%	$1,690
17	Iowa IA	$2,043	$43,325	19.4%	—
18	Kentucky KY	$2,150	$43,218	19.6%	$1,348
19	Michigan MI	$2,284	$43,084	19.8%	$1,578
20	North Carolina NC	$2,284	$43,084	19.8%	$1,712
21	New York NY	$2,351	$43,017	20.0%	$2,200
22	Arkansas AR	$2,365	$43,003	20.0%	—
23	Colorado CO	$2,365	$43,003	20.0%	$1,922
24	Delaware DE	$2,419	$42,949	20.1%	—
25	Kansas KS	$2,419	$42,949	20.1%	—
26	Virginia VA	$2,419	$42,949	20.1%	$1,810
27	Utah UT	$2,446	$42,922	20.1%	$1,641
28	Mississippi MS	$2,526	$42,842	20.3%	—
29	Oklahoma OK	$2,553	$42,815	20.3%	$1,385
30	Missouri MO	$2,580	$42,788	20.4%	$1,486
31	West Virginia WV	$2,591	$42,777	20.4%	—
32	New Mexico NM	$2,634	$42,734	20.5%	—
33	Illinois IL	$2,661	$42,707	20.5%	$2,210
34	Alabama AL	$2,688	$42,680	20.6%	$1,433
35	Connecticut CT	$2,688	$42,680	20.6%	$2,462
36	Maryland MD	$2,688	$42,680	20.6%	$1,948
37	Massachusetts MA	$2,688	$42,680	20.6%	$2,599
38	Rhode Island RI	$2,688	$42,680	20.6%	$2,167
39	Wisconsin WI	$2,688	$42,680	20.6%	$1,563
40	Georgia GA	$2,790	$42,578	20.8%	$1,853
41	Nebraska NE	$2,795	$42,573	20.8%	$1,413
42	Maine ME	$2,956	$42,412	21.1%	—
43	New Jersey NJ	$2,956	$42,412	21.1%	—
44	Idaho ID	$3,061	$42,307	21.3%	—
45	Montana MT	$3,171	$42,197	21.5%	—
46	Hawaii HI	$3,225	$42,143	21.6%	$3,020
47	Minnesota MN	$3,225	$42,143	21.6%	$1,719
48	South Carolina SC	$3,225	$42,143	21.6%	$1,569
49	Vermont VT	$3,225	$42,143	21.6%	—
50	District of Columbia DC	$3,494	$41,874	22.1%	$2,433
51	Oregon OR	$3,763	$41,605	22.6%	$1,818

The largest single state tax bill on this wage is in Oregon at $3,763; across the 51 states the average state tax is $2,078. Local city and county taxes, credits and itemised deductions are excluded from every figure.

What this means in practice for Welder

When evaluating a career path in welding, it is helpful to look past the gross salary and consider how deductions impact your net income. Federal taxes and FICA contributions remain consistent regardless of your location. However, state income taxes vary, creating different outcomes for the same gross wage. Because this is not tax advice, you should always consult a professional to understand your specific obligations. By comparing the net figures, you can better understand the true value of your paycheck.

In practice, a higher gross salary does not always result in more purchasing power once regional costs are factored in. When you account for local expenses such as the $1,569/month reference rent in South Carolina, the remaining balance can vary drastically compared to higher-cost regions. The District of Columbia presents a stark contrast, where the $2,433/month reference rent significantly reduces your annual surplus. Evaluating the cost of living alongside your net pay is the most effective way to gauge financial stability.

Welders often make the mistake of focusing only on the gross salary when comparing job offers between states. It is common to overlook how much state taxes reduce the final amount, which can be as much as $3,763 a year in some jurisdictions. Before accepting a position, verify the specific tax laws of the state and research local rent averages. Ensuring you have a clear picture of your net income after all deductions will help you make a more informed career move.

Welder pay after tax: common questions

Does the federal government tax all welders at the same rate?

Yes, your federal tax and FICA obligations are identical in every state, totaling $4,270 for federal and $4,112 for FICA at the median salary. These deductions are standardized across the country, meaning the primary variation in your take-home pay comes from state-level tax differences rather than federal policy.

How much do state taxes reduce my $53,750 salary?

State taxes vary significantly, with the average state tax across the 51 states being $2,078. While some states collect nothing, others like Oregon may charge up to $3,763 annually. Always check the specific tax rate for your intended state before comparing potential job offers.

Are there states where I keep more of my welding paycheck?

Yes, states like Alaska, Florida, Nevada, and Texas do not impose state income tax on wages. In these locations, your take-home pay is higher because the state does not take a portion of your earnings. This can result in a take-home pay of $45,368 in Alaska.

How does rent affect my actual take-home pay?

Rent is often the largest recurring expense that eats into your monthly budget. For example, living in the District of Columbia with a $2,433/month rent leaves you with $12,678 after a full year. Compare local rent costs against your net monthly pay to understand your true disposable income.

Should I move for a higher gross wage if rent is also higher?

Not necessarily. Even if a job offers a higher gross salary, a high cost of living can negate those gains. For example, in South Carolina, you might be left with $23,315 after a year of paying $1,569/month in rent. Always calculate the remaining balance after housing costs.

What should I verify before moving for a welding job?

Before moving, verify the state tax laws, local rent averages, and the specific cost of living in that area. Remember that the median wage of $53,750 is a national benchmark, and your actual offer may differ based on experience. Not tax advice, so consult a professional regarding your situation.

Sources for this page

Wage data: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), national estimates, May 2025 — series OEUN000000000000051412113 (annual median) and OEUN000000000000051412104 (annual mean), retrieved 2026-09-21 via the BLS Public Data API v2 — https://www.bls.gov/oes/current/oes_nat.htm · Occupation titles: O*NET 29.0 Database — https://www.onetcenter.org/database.html · Take-home figures: AfterTaxLab 2026 engine (/assets/js/tax-2026.js), single filer, no pre-tax contributions · Rents: Zillow Research ZORI (Metro), kamuya açık araştırma dosyası (Aug 2026).

Estimates for planning only — not tax advice. Tax year 2026, single filer, no pre-tax contributions, no city or county tax. Same engine as every AfterTaxLab calculator · methodology.

Welder after tax: what $53,750 becomes in every state

Welder take-home at $53,750 — strongest and weakest states

Best and worst states for Welder

Where Welder pay sits nationally

The same $53,750 under different state tax models

All 51 states, ranked for Welder

What this means in practice for Welder

Welder pay after tax: common questions

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