Salary comparison
Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers: Lima vs Staunton
Lima, OH pays about 33.1% more for welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers on paper — $85,790 vs $64,470. But once you factor in what it costs to live there, Lima comes out ahead by $21,320 a year in real buying power.
Lima, OH
$85,790
$53,680
$85,790
$41.25
100
$85,790/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
Staunton, VA
$64,470
$55,660
$65,220
$30.99
100
$64,470/yr
Median adjusted for local cost of living.
What the numbers mean in practice
The headline gap is $21,320 a year (33.1%) in favor of Lima. That is the raw salary difference before any living costs.
Lima runs a cost index of 100 against the national baseline of 100; Staunton sits at 100. After adjusting the median for those costs, Lima is the better deal by $21,320 a year — that is what each paycheck actually buys locally.
If you are weighing a move from Staunton to Lima for this role, the raise needs to beat 33.1% to come out ahead after living costs. Anything below that and you are earning more on paper but keeping less.
Common questions
Where do welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn more, Lima or Staunton?
Lima pays $85,790 on median — about 33.1% more than Staunton ($64,470). Based on BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Which city is the better deal after living costs?
Lima. Once you divide each median by the local cost index, Lima gives you roughly$85,790 of real buying power versus $64,470 in the other city.