Best Cities to Start a Welder Business (2026)

Where a solo welder business has the most room Our calculation

Wildwood, FL ranks first. One-person industrial machinery repair businesses there average $118,778 a year in revenue, with 0.8 industrial machinery repair businesses for every 10,000 residents (typical metro: 1.8). We scored all 377 metros where the Census publishes industrial machinery repair business counts.

1
WildwoodFLORIDA · FL · $118,778 avg solo revenue · 0.8 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
96
2
BremertonWASHINGTON · WA · $175,600 avg solo revenue · 0.8 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
91
3
ClarksvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $135,618 avg solo revenue · 1.4 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
87
4
GainesvilleFLORIDA · FL · $112,815 avg solo revenue · 1.3 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
86
5
NashvilleTENNESSEE · TN · $107,725 avg solo revenue · 1.3 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
85
6
CorvallisOREGON · OR · $147,786 avg solo revenue · 1.5 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
83
7
ColumbusINDIANA · IN · $210,000 avg solo revenue · 1.3 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
83
8
TrentonNEW JERSEY · NJ · $111,895 avg solo revenue · 0.8 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
83
9
KennewickWASHINGTON · WA · $108,238 avg solo revenue · 1.1 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
82
10
ShermanTEXAS · TX · $137,577 avg solo revenue · 1.8 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
82
11
HanfordCALIFORNIA · CA · $186,692 avg solo revenue · 1.3 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
82
12
NaplesFLORIDA · FL · $154,085 avg solo revenue · 1.7 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
82
13
SavannahGEORGIA · GA · $155,238 avg solo revenue · 1.8 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fast population growth
81
14
Kansas CityMISSOURI · MO · $111,546 avg solo revenue · 1.2 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80
15
PhoenixARIZONA · AZ · $101,969 avg solo revenue · 1.3 industrial machinery repair businesses per 10k residents · Strong on higher solo revenue and fewer competitors per resident
80

Weights: average solo revenue 3, fewer competitors per resident 3, revenue compared with the local employee wage 2, new home permits 1, population growth 1. Each factor is a percentile among these metros.

Top 5 by each factor Government data

Highest solo revenue

Columbus, IN: $210,000
Hanford, CA: $186,692
Bremerton, WA: $175,600
Florence, SC: $175,375
Harrisonburg, VA: $164,412

Least competition

Ithaca, NY: 0.5 per 10k residents
Charlottesville, VA: 0.6 per 10k residents
Huntsville, AL: 0.7 per 10k residents
Washington, DC: 0.7 per 10k residents
Elmira, NY: 0.7 per 10k residents

Most new building

Wildwood, FL: 24.5 home permits per 1k
North Port, FL: 19.8 home permits per 1k
Lafayette, IN: 17.9 home permits per 1k
Myrtle Beach, SC: 17.0 home permits per 1k
Wilmington, NC: 16.8 home permits per 1k

Fastest-growing population

Wildwood, FL: +21.1%
Myrtle Beach, SC: +20.9%
Lakeland, FL: +19.8%
St. George, UT: +17.4%
Ocala, FL: +17.3%

Every metro Government data

Click a column to sort. “Rate to match it” is the hourly rate you'd need to bill to replace the local employee median, at our default assumptions (25% for tax and benefits, $30,000 overhead, 1,400 billable hours). Try your own numbers in the rate calculator.

#	Metro	Score	Solo revenue	Businesses / 10k people	Employee median	Rate to match it	Permits / 1k
1	Wildwood, FL	96	$118,778	0.8	$43,490	$60/hr	24.5
2	Bremerton, WA	91	$175,600	0.8	$71,720	$85/hr	6.4
3	Clarksville, TN	87	$135,618	1.4	$52,970	$69/hr	8.7
4	Gainesville, FL	86	$112,815	1.3	$47,230	$64/hr	10.5
5	Nashville, TN	85	$107,725	1.3	$49,460	$66/hr	9.2
6	Corvallis, OR	83	$147,786	1.5	$57,350	$73/hr	5.0
7	Columbus, IN	83	$210,000	1.3	$49,320	$65/hr	2.2
8	Trenton, NJ	83	$111,895	0.8	$54,640	$70/hr	3.0
9	Kennewick, WA	82	$108,238	1.1	$64,720	$79/hr	7.8
10	Sherman, TX	82	$137,577	1.8	$55,020	$71/hr	13.1
11	Hanford, CA	82	$186,692	1.3	$47,520	$64/hr	3.3
12	Naples, FL	82	$154,085	1.7	$56,440	$72/hr	6.9
13	Savannah, GA	81	$155,238	1.8	$56,410	$72/hr	12.8
14	Kansas City, MO	80	$111,546	1.2	$57,370	$73/hr	4.5
15	Phoenix, AZ	80	$101,969	1.3	$56,540	$72/hr	7.9
16	Columbia, MO	80	$122,762	1.4	$52,700	$68/hr	3.8
17	Huntsville, AL	78	$80,591	0.7	$44,020	$61/hr	8.7
18	Richmond, VA	77	$102,255	1.4	$57,710	$73/hr	6.8
19	Hilton Head Island, SC	77	$93,200	1.3	$54,030	$70/hr	13.5
20	Albuquerque, NM	77	$105,038	1.2	$49,980	$66/hr	3.1
21	Hattiesburg, MS	76	$105,588	1.1	$49,500	$66/hr	0.8
22	Dallas, TX	76	$96,637	1.5	$51,630	$68/hr	8.3
23	Deltona, FL	76	$98,259	1.6	$48,170	$64/hr	7.7
24	Lynchburg, VA	76	$120,500	1.6	$51,970	$68/hr	4.2
25	Topeka, KS	76	$112,333	1.2	$51,390	$67/hr	2.7
26	Rome, GA	75	$98,125	1.3	$42,280	$59/hr	3.3
27	Stockton, CA	75	$104,828	1.5	$51,480	$67/hr	3.2
28	Sacramento, CA	75	$99,278	1.2	$57,290	$73/hr	4.4
29	Auburn, AL	74	$93,737	1.6	$42,520	$59/hr	7.9
30	Anniston, AL	73	$115,286	1.1	$59,820	$75/hr	1.2
31	San Diego, CA	73	$104,134	1.0	$62,560	$77/hr	3.6
32	Boulder, CO	73	$100,619	0.9	$65,040	$80/hr	6.1
33	Raleigh, NC	73	$83,163	1.1	$56,940	$72/hr	11.8
34	Napa, CA	73	$123,200	1.3	$62,890	$78/hr	2.7
35	Cape Coral, FL	73	$101,861	1.9	$52,410	$68/hr	16.6
36	Ogden, UT	73	$96,460	1.3	$60,240	$75/hr	5.5
37	Hot Springs, AR	73	$114,455	1.5	$46,400	$63/hr	3.3
38	Lexington Park, MD	73	$108,857	1.2	$60,840	$76/hr	2.1
39	Fort Wayne, IN	73	$119,571	1.8	$49,300	$65/hr	3.6
40	Knoxville, TN	73	$89,409	1.4	$48,040	$64/hr	8.4
41	Merced, CA	73	$112,966	1.7	$50,340	$66/hr	2.7
42	Bozeman, MT	72	$97,643	1.6	$59,140	$74/hr	12.4
43	Morgantown, WV	72	$157,750	1.6	$47,650	$64/hr	0.2
44	Chico, CA	71	$143,276	1.8	$48,740	$65/hr	4.8
45	Springfield, MO	71	$121,968	2.0	$54,080	$70/hr	3.6
46	Sebring, FL	70	$142,318	2.6	$47,250	$64/hr	7.3
47	Florence, SC	70	$175,375	2.1	$44,990	$62/hr	4.5
48	Santa Maria, CA	69	$96,607	1.1	$52,800	$69/hr	3.1
49	Janesville, WI	69	$126,938	1.8	$60,000	$75/hr	2.4
50	Homosassa Springs, FL	69	$95,182	2.0	$49,040	$65/hr	12.9
51	Riverside, CA	69	$107,339	1.8	$52,050	$68/hr	3.4
52	Philadelphia, PA	69	$95,770	1.0	$58,380	$74/hr	2.1
53	Omaha, NE	69	$98,061	1.7	$53,110	$69/hr	6.5
54	Worcester, MA	68	$99,938	1.3	$60,320	$75/hr	1.9
55	Columbus, GA	68	$91,375	1.2	$40,100	$57/hr	1.9
56	Ocala, FL	68	$100,455	2.4	$48,270	$65/hr	15.0
57	Waterbury, CT	68	$95,257	1.3	$52,710	$68/hr	1.1
58	Bay City, MI	68	$135,200	1.6	$57,760	$73/hr	0.7
59	Lakeland, FL	67	$96,115	2.2	$48,520	$65/hr	10.4
60	Harrisonburg, VA	67	$164,412	2.7	$51,870	$68/hr	6.2
61	Johnson City, TN	67	$90,538	1.7	$46,070	$63/hr	4.3
62	Orlando, FL	67	$89,700	1.8	$50,200	$66/hr	10.0
63	Valdosta, GA	67	$107,778	2.1	$47,240	$64/hr	6.0
64	New York, NY	67	$95,526	1.0	$61,680	$76/hr	2.2
65	Oklahoma City, OK	67	$99,114	2.0	$48,760	$65/hr	5.9
66	Austin, TX	67	$78,024	1.1	$59,040	$74/hr	11.3
67	Seattle, WA	66	$88,571	1.0	$66,240	$81/hr	3.9
68	Las Cruces, NM	66	$83,476	1.3	$47,520	$64/hr	3.7
69	Las Vegas, NV	66	$78,792	1.0	$57,980	$73/hr	6.2
70	San Francisco, CA	66	$99,950	0.8	$64,320	$79/hr	1.7
71	Atlanta, GA	65	$88,539	1.6	$49,630	$66/hr	5.4
72	San Jose, CA	65	$92,667	0.7	$64,140	$79/hr	2.8
73	Manchester, NH	65	$109,293	1.7	$58,510	$74/hr	1.5
74	Daphne, AL	65	$97,462	2.5	$47,860	$64/hr	10.8
75	Grants Pass, OR	65	$122,857	2.0	$51,330	$67/hr	3.3
76	Tucson, AZ	65	$82,704	1.2	$51,150	$67/hr	4.4
77	Binghamton, NY	65	$90,857	1.1	$50,560	$67/hr	1.9
78	Bend, OR	65	$100,000	2.2	$56,910	$72/hr	12.1
79	Reading, PA	65	$130,529	2.1	$54,840	$70/hr	1.3
80	Kiryas Joel, NY	64	$91,175	1.4	$58,460	$74/hr	3.1
81	South Bend, IN	64	$115,896	2.0	$47,670	$64/hr	2.3
82	Jacksonville, FL	64	$84,761	1.7	$50,640	$67/hr	8.0
83	Mount Vernon, WA	64	$117,556	2.0	$62,800	$78/hr	2.8
84	Albany, NY	63	$88,158	1.1	$59,390	$74/hr	2.3
85	Abilene, TX	63	$110,926	2.7	$48,160	$64/hr	6.4
86	Mansfield, OH	63	$133,000	2.0	$43,120	$60/hr	0.9
87	Denver, CO	63	$81,209	1.2	$58,890	$74/hr	5.3
88	Green Bay, WI	62	$114,786	2.3	$58,850	$74/hr	4.3
89	Sheboygan, WI	62	$103,167	1.7	$59,460	$75/hr	3.1
90	Baltimore, MD	62	$96,072	1.3	$61,920	$77/hr	2.0
91	Chicago, IL	62	$97,384	1.5	$52,650	$68/hr	1.7
92	Boston, MA	62	$88,672	1.0	$63,770	$78/hr	2.0
93	Provo, UT	62	$68,804	1.1	$54,740	$70/hr	10.2
94	Prescott Valley, AZ	61	$97,163	2.4	$51,300	$67/hr	7.0
95	Alexandria, LA	61	$164,059	2.1	$64,490	$79/hr	1.8
96	Wichita, KS	61	$90,375	1.7	$54,190	$70/hr	4.8
97	Houston, TX	61	$96,631	2.3	$57,940	$73/hr	8.7
98	Greeley, CO	61	$102,447	2.6	$59,180	$74/hr	8.5
99	Tampa, FL	61	$81,918	1.7	$49,930	$66/hr	6.9
100	Hartford, CT	60	$103,804	1.5	$75,040	$88/hr	1.3
101	Charlotte, NC	60	$86,918	1.9	$56,070	$71/hr	8.0
102	Port St. Lucie, FL	60	$97,346	2.8	$52,270	$68/hr	9.3
103	Macon, GA	60	$158,194	2.8	$46,420	$63/hr	2.2
104	Flagstaff, AZ	59	$79,818	1.1	$54,460	$70/hr	4.4
105	Fayetteville, AR	59	$69,698	1.5	$47,740	$64/hr	15.5
106	Kingsport, TN	59	$90,765	1.7	$55,690	$71/hr	3.7
107	Dover, DE	59	$74,700	1.5	$48,510	$65/hr	6.7
108	Eau Claire, WI	59	$122,765	3.1	$58,110	$73/hr	5.4
109	Utica, NY	59	$101,947	1.7	$49,630	$66/hr	1.1
110	Colorado Springs, CO	59	$76,900	1.3	$55,270	$71/hr	7.6
111	Springfield, MA	59	$86,464	1.0	$56,010	$71/hr	0.7
112	Sandusky, OH	58	$120,294	2.4	$47,900	$64/hr	2.8
113	Vineland, NJ	58	$80,857	1.1	$53,000	$69/hr	0.9
114	Sebastian, FL	58	$89,957	1.9	$49,770	$66/hr	1.5
115	Hammond, LA	58	$102,345	2.9	$58,490	$74/hr	8.5
116	Los Angeles, CA	58	$89,390	1.3	$56,160	$72/hr	2.1
117	Lewiston, ME	58	$87,500	1.8	$55,520	$71/hr	4.0
118	Pueblo, CO	58	$98,286	1.8	$51,190	$67/hr	1.3
119	Augusta, GA	58	$81,829	1.8	$50,800	$67/hr	6.6
120	Chambersburg, PA	58	$112,000	4.3	$53,340	$69/hr	6.6
121	Manhattan, KS	58	$77,667	1.3	$50,550	$67/hr	3.7
122	Lawton, OK	57	$80,500	1.3	$49,720	$66/hr	1.6
123	Bakersfield, CA	57	$90,202	1.7	$57,360	$73/hr	3.5
124	North Port, FL	57	$72,304	1.6	$51,820	$68/hr	19.8
125	Michigan City, IN	57	$107,462	2.1	$53,420	$69/hr	2.6
126	Waterloo, IA	57	$127,550	2.9	$51,080	$67/hr	3.3
127	Victoria, TX	57	$137,714	3.0	$48,580	$65/hr	1.9
128	Wichita Falls, TX	57	$142,591	2.7	$49,010	$65/hr	1.1
129	Punta Gorda, FL	57	$74,600	1.8	$48,040	$64/hr	15.0
130	Memphis, TN	57	$88,231	1.6	$48,600	$65/hr	2.5
131	Kalamazoo, MI	56	$72,941	1.1	$47,560	$64/hr	1.9
132	Rochester, NY	56	$87,494	1.3	$57,130	$72/hr	1.7
133	Fort Collins, CO	56	$91,167	2.1	$59,660	$75/hr	6.6
134	Lancaster, PA	56	$148,932	4.5	$54,370	$70/hr	2.3
135	Duluth, MN	56	$106,300	2.1	$57,410	$73/hr	2.3
136	Bangor, ME	56	$100,417	2.6	$50,590	$67/hr	3.1
137	Olympia, WA	56	$69,714	1.0	$58,680	$74/hr	5.6
138	Louisville/Jefferson County, KY	56	$81,528	1.7	$50,870	$67/hr	4.4
139	Madison, WI	56	$72,421	1.4	$59,530	$75/hr	10.0
140	Greenville, SC	56	$81,100	2.1	$49,130	$65/hr	8.6
141	Bloomington, IN	56	$63,833	1.1	$44,730	$61/hr	7.8
142	Morristown, TN	56	$86,286	2.2	$47,070	$63/hr	4.8
143	Washington, DC	56	$72,221	0.7	$60,670	$76/hr	2.8
144	Tulsa, OK	55	$89,420	2.2	$53,550	$69/hr	5.0
145	Texarkana, TX	55	$94,842	2.1	$41,920	$59/hr	2.0
146	Birmingham, AL	55	$99,951	2.5	$49,930	$66/hr	3.6
147	Durham, NC	55	$60,419	1.3	$49,280	$65/hr	10.1
148	Oxnard, CA	55	$91,190	1.6	$54,560	$70/hr	1.9
149	Fargo, ND	55	$70,000	1.3	$61,140	$76/hr	5.8
150	Santa Rosa, CA	55	$86,205	1.5	$56,720	$72/hr	3.5
151	Hagerstown, MD	55	$79,500	1.7	$56,020	$71/hr	5.4
152	Rocky Mount, NC	55	$94,524	2.3	$49,600	$66/hr	3.7
153	Panama City, FL	55	$89,955	2.8	$53,350	$69/hr	10.8
154	Yakima, WA	54	$84,160	1.5	$57,450	$73/hr	2.8
155	Columbus, OH	54	$59,294	1.1	$51,260	$67/hr	7.2
156	Portland, OR	54	$80,388	1.3	$62,050	$77/hr	3.3
157	Asheville, NC	54	$71,649	1.5	$52,540	$68/hr	7.8
158	Harrisburg, PA	54	$91,314	2.1	$52,330	$68/hr	2.0
159	Dubuque, IA	54	$119,611	3.3	$56,100	$72/hr	3.4
160	Mobile, AL	54	$110,356	2.3	$61,420	$76/hr	2.7
161	Miami, FL	54	$102,284	3.7	$54,590	$70/hr	3.8
162	Tuscaloosa, AL	54	$79,692	1.4	$52,180	$68/hr	2.2
163	Midland, TX	54	$100,918	5.1	$61,410	$76/hr	7.3
164	Indianapolis, IN	54	$63,786	1.2	$51,070	$67/hr	5.4
165	Medford, OR	53	$100,108	2.5	$50,270	$66/hr	4.2
166	Laredo, TX	53	$92,573	4.1	$45,370	$62/hr	5.0
167	Wausau, WI	53	$103,167	2.5	$55,780	$71/hr	2.5
168	Visalia, CA	53	$90,958	2.4	$46,850	$63/hr	3.7
169	Honolulu, HI	53	$90,236	1.1	$81,120	$94/hr	1.4
170	El Paso, TX	53	$88,985	2.1	$45,000	$62/hr	2.3
171	Lubbock, TX	53	$80,421	2.2	$46,760	$63/hr	8.0
172	Beckley, WV	53	$111,462	2.3	$48,960	$65/hr	0.7
173	Minneapolis, MN	52	$74,439	1.3	$61,880	$77/hr	3.9
174	Odessa, TX	52	$103,237	7.9	$63,470	$78/hr	5.6
175	Bridgeport, CT	52	$64,431	0.9	$63,440	$78/hr	3.6
176	Cape Girardeau, MO	52	$114,000	3.6	$48,580	$65/hr	1.0
177	St. Joseph, MO	52	$104,273	1.8	$66,060	$80/hr	0.5
178	Kankakee, IL	52	$94,750	2.0	$47,460	$64/hr	1.1
179	Flint, MI	52	$79,714	1.3	$48,810	$65/hr	1.1
180	Mankato, MN	52	$93,077	2.2	$52,940	$69/hr	3.4
181	Burlington, VT	52	$89,600	1.8	$63,460	$78/hr	5.5
182	Charleston, SC	52	$67,693	1.6	$56,060	$71/hr	8.7
183	Palm Bay, FL	52	$65,982	1.5	$49,930	$66/hr	7.3
184	Johnstown, PA	51	$91,889	1.9	$46,780	$63/hr	0.5
185	Pittsburgh, PA	51	$82,853	1.5	$53,610	$69/hr	2.4
186	Charlottesville, VA	51	$49,778	0.6	$57,420	$73/hr	9.5
187	St. George, UT	51	$80,926	2.6	$50,890	$67/hr	14.5
188	Grand Rapids, MI	51	$82,606	2.1	$48,920	$65/hr	3.7
189	Columbia, SC	51	$66,221	1.6	$49,730	$66/hr	7.1
190	Weirton, WV	51	$86,818	1.4	$55,410	$71/hr	0.1
191	Greensboro, NC	51	$82,452	2.0	$54,180	$70/hr	4.9
192	Longview, TX	50	$105,067	4.2	$52,300	$68/hr	1.0
193	Iowa City, IA	50	$78,350	1.8	$57,780	$73/hr	7.1
194	Corpus Christi, TX	50	$96,424	2.4	$59,450	$75/hr	4.7
195	Champaign, IL	50	$78,548	1.8	$48,610	$65/hr	3.8
196	Cleveland, TN	50	$62,562	1.6	$46,670	$63/hr	7.3
197	Athens, GA	50	$60,850	1.4	$47,970	$64/hr	5.8
198	Huntington, WV	50	$81,321	1.5	$46,980	$63/hr	0.8
199	Youngstown, OH	49	$100,375	2.4	$47,690	$64/hr	0.7
200	Elkhart, IN	49	$97,939	3.2	$50,950	$67/hr	3.8
201	Spartanburg, SC	49	$75,756	2.4	$49,820	$66/hr	11.6
202	Virginia Beach, VA	49	$74,691	1.2	$62,670	$77/hr	2.2
203	Santa Cruz, CA	49	$76,000	1.3	$50,840	$67/hr	1.8
204	Portland, ME	49	$86,882	2.1	$66,420	$81/hr	6.2
205	Cleveland, OH	49	$82,373	1.8	$49,040	$65/hr	1.9
206	Walla Walla, WA	48	$83,143	1.6	$59,380	$74/hr	2.6
207	Coeur d'Alene, ID	48	$80,133	2.7	$51,510	$67/hr	9.4
208	Lexington, KY	48	$64,372	1.4	$53,680	$69/hr	4.5
209	Lebanon, PA	48	$95,071	3.3	$50,920	$67/hr	3.8
210	Providence, RI	48	$72,476	1.4	$52,800	$69/hr	1.7
211	Charleston, WV	48	$88,778	1.9	$48,000	$64/hr	0.6
212	Minot, ND	48	$121,500	3.1	$62,060	$77/hr	1.8
213	Paducah, KY	48	$94,812	2.3	$48,560	$65/hr	1.7
214	Allentown, PA	48	$71,970	1.4	$54,790	$70/hr	2.3
215	Fresno, CA	48	$74,585	1.7	$50,550	$67/hr	3.0
216	Myrtle Beach, SC	48	$51,057	1.5	$45,640	$62/hr	17.0
217	Atlantic City, NJ	47	$71,389	1.4	$60,880	$76/hr	4.3
218	San Antonio, TX	47	$66,939	1.8	$48,220	$64/hr	4.0
219	Toledo, OH	47	$77,943	1.5	$49,130	$65/hr	0.8
220	San Luis Obispo, CA	47	$88,095	2.1	$53,280	$69/hr	2.4
221	Houma, LA	46	$109,312	5.3	$56,990	$72/hr	2.9
222	Winston, NC	46	$68,143	2.0	$46,370	$63/hr	6.8
223	Idaho Falls, ID	46	$78,083	2.8	$50,770	$67/hr	9.3
224	Springfield, OH	46	$84,769	2.2	$47,780	$64/hr	2.9
225	Ann Arbor, MI	46	$62,880	1.0	$54,180	$70/hr	2.9
226	Winchester, VA	46	$58,000	1.5	$54,690	$70/hr	6.2
227	Salinas, CA	46	$77,464	1.4	$58,240	$73/hr	1.8
228	Jackson, TN	46	$79,879	2.2	$45,460	$62/hr	2.6
229	Modesto, CA	46	$86,826	2.1	$52,590	$68/hr	2.2
230	Missoula, MT	46	$77,000	2.5	$47,720	$64/hr	7.1
231	Great Falls, MT	46	$96,400	2.8	$55,720	$71/hr	3.0
232	Killeen, TX	46	$39,186	1.2	$48,460	$65/hr	6.8
233	Dayton, OH	45	$67,444	1.4	$50,390	$66/hr	2.4
234	Muskegon, MI	45	$77,786	2.0	$47,850	$64/hr	2.6
235	Cincinnati, OH	45	$69,490	1.6	$51,990	$68/hr	3.2
236	Little Rock, AR	45	$62,986	1.6	$47,440	$64/hr	4.1
237	Lawrence, KS	45	$58,500	1.2	$48,180	$64/hr	3.1
238	Scranton, PA	45	$67,917	1.3	$49,090	$65/hr	1.1
239	Salt Lake City, UT	45	$69,655	1.7	$60,190	$75/hr	6.0
240	Buffalo, NY	45	$66,191	1.1	$55,420	$71/hr	1.3
241	St. Louis, MO	45	$69,102	1.3	$51,640	$68/hr	2.2
242	New Haven, CT	44	$61,706	1.2	$61,630	$76/hr	1.8
243	Greenville, NC	44	$30,111	1.2	$57,360	$73/hr	7.3
244	Bowling Green, KY	44	$64,500	1.9	$53,630	$69/hr	7.9
245	Syracuse, NY	44	$71,534	1.5	$55,660	$71/hr	3.1
246	Hickory, NC	44	$67,957	2.1	$46,080	$63/hr	8.5
247	Brownsville, TX	44	$74,807	2.4	$45,020	$62/hr	6.3
248	Decatur, AL	44	$89,750	2.6	$56,990	$72/hr	2.6
249	Dothan, AL	43	$77,095	2.6	$45,210	$62/hr	3.9
250	Crestview, FL	43	$49,974	1.6	$50,710	$67/hr	11.5
251	Warner Robins, GA	43	$47,261	1.5	$50,170	$66/hr	6.8
252	Kingston, NY	43	$60,000	1.2	$57,600	$73/hr	2.4
253	New Orleans, LA	42	$88,420	1.9	$63,270	$78/hr	1.7
254	Redding, CA	42	$90,310	2.5	$52,450	$68/hr	1.4
255	Yuba City, CA	42	$75,935	2.3	$51,040	$67/hr	4.5
256	Pensacola, FL	42	$51,603	1.6	$49,370	$66/hr	6.3
257	Lafayette, IN	42	$46,706	1.4	$49,020	$65/hr	17.9
258	Fayetteville, NC	42	$29,800	0.8	$49,780	$66/hr	5.4
259	Rapid City, SD	42	$75,609	2.7	$51,690	$68/hr	6.3
260	Lake Havasu City, AZ	42	$71,744	2.5	$50,030	$66/hr	8.2
261	Gainesville, GA	42	$73,156	3.1	$48,430	$65/hr	9.4
262	Tallahassee, FL	41	$46,175	1.4	$47,130	$64/hr	7.0
263	Burlington, NC	41	$57,350	2.0	$50,740	$67/hr	11.5
264	Spokane, WA	41	$59,412	1.6	$59,350	$74/hr	5.3
265	Santa Fe, NM	41	$42,500	0.8	$52,820	$69/hr	3.2
266	Ithaca, NY	41	$43,200	0.5	$54,170	$70/hr	4.5
267	Lincoln, NE	41	$61,172	1.7	$53,990	$70/hr	7.0
268	Gettysburg, PA	41	$76,000	2.6	$49,010	$65/hr	4.5
269	Salem, OR	41	$68,796	1.7	$57,180	$72/hr	3.2
270	Kenosha, WI	41	$49,286	1.1	$57,780	$73/hr	5.3
271	Chattanooga, TN	41	$65,461	2.0	$49,220	$65/hr	5.1
272	Boise City, ID	40	$49,473	1.9	$50,240	$66/hr	11.6
273	Montgomery, AL	40	$69,143	1.9	$47,880	$64/hr	2.8
274	Gulfport, MS	40	$58,540	1.7	$63,440	$78/hr	7.9
275	Jackson, MS	40	$74,160	1.8	$52,220	$68/hr	2.6
276	Lansing, MI	40	$53,862	1.2	$50,370	$66/hr	1.8
277	Detroit, MI	40	$66,257	1.5	$51,810	$68/hr	2.0
278	Eugene, OR	40	$75,238	2.0	$54,670	$70/hr	4.0
279	Battle Creek, MI	39	$62,750	1.3	$52,970	$69/hr	0.9
280	Muncie, IN	39	$37,000	0.9	$53,340	$69/hr	2.9
281	Monroe, MI	39	$74,636	1.9	$49,570	$66/hr	1.2
282	Sioux City, IA	39	$84,000	2.7	$58,230	$73/hr	3.9
283	College Station, TX	39	$43,826	1.7	$52,800	$69/hr	8.6
284	Des Moines, IA	39	$57,341	1.8	$59,980	$75/hr	8.5
285	Saginaw, MI	39	$63,684	1.4	$48,820	$65/hr	1.1
286	Beaumont, TX	38	$83,500	2.4	$59,190	$74/hr	2.4
287	Traverse City, MI	38	$67,812	2.1	$49,420	$66/hr	5.2
288	State College, PA	38	$50,154	1.2	$51,030	$67/hr	2.0
289	Davenport, IA	38	$74,167	2.0	$48,630	$65/hr	1.6
290	Rochester, MN	38	$71,148	2.0	$60,380	$75/hr	3.2
291	San Angelo, TX	37	$78,611	2.8	$46,440	$63/hr	2.8
292	Lafayette, LA	37	$79,968	4.0	$57,750	$73/hr	5.0
293	St. Cloud, MN	37	$86,585	4.4	$62,820	$78/hr	3.9
294	York, PA	37	$70,582	2.2	$55,070	$71/hr	3.4
295	Sumter, SC	37	$68,083	2.1	$44,540	$61/hr	3.4
296	Elizabethtown, KY	37	$23,333	1.2	$59,900	$75/hr	3.9
297	Springfield, IL	37	$54,778	1.3	$49,860	$66/hr	1.1
298	Logan, UT	36	$59,680	2.4	$48,920	$65/hr	7.6
299	Joplin, MO	36	$65,821	2.3	$45,770	$62/hr	3.0
300	Sioux Falls, SD	36	$69,071	2.9	$55,200	$71/hr	7.8
301	Wenatchee, WA	36	$40,533	1.7	$49,780	$66/hr	8.7
302	Wilmington, NC	36	$53,677	2.3	$55,340	$71/hr	16.8
303	Yuma, AZ	36	$48,560	1.8	$49,680	$66/hr	5.5
304	Pocatello, ID	35	$28,000	1.6	$58,140	$73/hr	6.6
305	Oshkosh, WI	35	$54,375	1.6	$60,720	$76/hr	4.0
306	Reno, NV	35	$48,458	1.8	$58,800	$74/hr	5.2
307	Slidell, LA	35	$66,000	2.2	$60,810	$76/hr	4.0
308	Altoona, PA	35	$88,095	3.0	$51,540	$67/hr	0.7
309	Carson City, NV	35	$46,778	1.5	$61,520	$76/hr	9.8
310	Niles, MI	35	$46,600	1.2	$49,040	$65/hr	2.4
311	Bismarck, ND	35	$78,429	2.8	$62,000	$77/hr	3.0
312	Vallejo, CA	34	$69,514	1.8	$63,860	$78/hr	1.9
313	Blacksburg, VA	34	$43,500	1.3	$57,650	$73/hr	2.7
314	Milwaukee, WI	34	$57,058	1.4	$59,390	$74/hr	2.0
315	Waco, TX	34	$50,182	2.0	$46,380	$63/hr	4.8
316	Anchorage, AK	34	$84,452	2.3	$74,000	$88/hr	0.7
317	Kokomo, IN	33	$17,500	1.0	$49,860	$66/hr	1.3
318	Dalton, GA	33	$65,407	2.6	$47,190	$64/hr	3.8
319	Williamsport, PA	33	$75,200	2.3	$48,130	$64/hr	0.6
320	McAllen, TX	33	$49,238	2.4	$39,710	$57/hr	8.2
321	Twin Falls, ID	32	$63,913	4.3	$45,550	$62/hr	5.6
322	Glens Falls, NY	32	$79,417	2.5	$59,140	$74/hr	2.6
323	Bloomington, IL	31	$36,000	1.3	$47,180	$64/hr	1.6
324	Elmira, NY	31	$23,667	0.7	$48,820	$65/hr	1.2
325	Casper, WY	31	$85,050	4.3	$62,660	$77/hr	2.5
326	Goldsboro, NC	31	$24,923	1.8	$48,320	$65/hr	8.0
327	Lake Charles, LA	31	$87,235	2.5	$72,920	$87/hr	2.2
328	Midland, MI	31	$37,429	1.3	$48,120	$64/hr	1.5
329	Bellingham, WA	30	$59,808	2.3	$63,720	$78/hr	5.3
330	Appleton, WI	30	$63,828	2.4	$58,920	$74/hr	5.1
331	Florence, AL	30	$35,600	1.6	$44,210	$61/hr	2.6
332	Brunswick, GA	30	$47,000	2.2	$48,380	$65/hr	5.5
333	Tyler, TX	29	$43,172	2.0	$43,100	$60/hr	2.2
334	Cheyenne, WY	29	$52,923	2.1	$59,030	$74/hr	5.5
335	Canton, OH	29	$72,293	2.5	$50,510	$67/hr	1.6
336	Grand Island, NE	29	$70,722	4.8	$48,940	$65/hr	3.5
337	Kahului, HI	28	$65,960	2.2	$67,280	$82/hr	5.5
338	Terre Haute, IN	28	$56,765	2.0	$46,090	$63/hr	1.7
339	Roanoke, VA	28	$70,000	2.6	$56,040	$71/hr	2.8
340	Gadsden, AL	27	$64,562	2.5	$42,240	$59/hr	1.2
341	Billings, MT	27	$60,194	3.6	$52,670	$68/hr	5.4
342	Fairbanks, AK	27	$90,133	3.2	$80,210	$93/hr	0.3
343	Baton Rouge, LA	26	$68,374	2.7	$78,170	$91/hr	4.9
344	Albany, GA	26	$72,462	3.1	$47,180	$64/hr	1.3
345	Sierra Vista, AZ	26	$26,389	1.7	$53,160	$69/hr	3.7
346	Jefferson City, MO	26	$65,852	2.5	$51,580	$67/hr	1.4
347	Grand Junction, CO	25	$56,478	3.2	$51,580	$67/hr	5.1
348	Erie, PA	25	$51,045	1.7	$49,180	$65/hr	0.9
349	Staunton, VA	25	$40,900	2.3	$64,470	$79/hr	7.8
350	Lima, OH	25	$79,083	2.5	$85,790	$98/hr	1.5
351	Akron, OH	24	$50,453	1.9	$50,340	$66/hr	1.1
352	Jackson, MI	24	$53,500	2.1	$49,790	$66/hr	1.9
353	Racine, WI	24	$41,650	1.9	$59,200	$74/hr	3.4
354	Jonesboro, AR	24	$44,909	2.6	$51,900	$68/hr	7.5
355	Decatur, IL	23	$64,125	2.1	$57,670	$73/hr	0.4
356	Peoria, IL	23	$32,550	1.5	$58,960	$74/hr	0.6
357	Grand Forks, ND	23	$51,857	2.1	$58,200	$73/hr	2.2
358	Fond du Lac, WI	22	$70,350	3.4	$60,930	$76/hr	1.8
359	Amarillo, TX	22	$55,343	2.8	$55,460	$71/hr	3.7
360	Shreveport, LA	21	$56,800	2.2	$63,610	$78/hr	2.7
361	Wheeling, WV	21	$29,200	1.5	$49,920	$66/hr	0.0
362	El Centro, CA	21	$52,704	2.2	$58,350	$74/hr	1.3
363	Parkersburg, WV	20	$50,000	2.0	$49,330	$65/hr	1.1
364	Cedar Rapids, IA	20	$43,881	2.3	$56,750	$72/hr	3.6
365	Longview, WA	19	$26,625	2.2	$59,860	$75/hr	2.7
366	Ames, IA	19	$37,625	2.3	$58,560	$74/hr	3.1
367	Fort Smith, AR	18	$43,114	2.7	$46,630	$63/hr	2.9
368	Rockford, IL	17	$43,600	2.1	$50,200	$66/hr	1.1
369	Evansville, IN	17	$31,852	2.4	$50,960	$67/hr	3.0
370	Albany, OR	17	$58,571	3.4	$62,790	$77/hr	1.4
371	Salisbury, MD	15	$31,056	2.4	$58,480	$74/hr	1.6
372	Farmington, NM	15	$62,750	3.2	$57,440	$73/hr	0.7
373	Enid, OK	15	$58,182	2.7	$49,090	$65/hr	0.3
374	Lewiston, ID	14	$28,875	2.9	$55,890	$71/hr	4.7
375	La Crosse, WI	14	$44,265	2.7	$58,800	$74/hr	2.8
376	Owensboro, KY	13	$34,312	2.7	$51,700	$68/hr	2.3
377	Monroe, LA	12	$48,621	2.8	$51,870	$68/hr	2.4

How to read this

Revenue is what one-person businesses take in before expenses, not take-home pay. A high figure with lots of competitors per resident usually means a busy but crowded market; a lower figure with few competitors can mean room to grow. Business counts come from the Census Nonemployer Statistics (2024) and County Business Patterns (2023), grouped as “industrial machinery repair”, so they include some firms outside the trade itself.

For pay as an employee in any of these cities, see the welder salary overview or the best cities for welders to work.

Census Nonemployer Statistics 2024; County Business Patterns 2023; Census Building Permits 2025; Census population estimates; BLS OEWS May 2025. Our data

Best cities to start a welder business