There are currently 138 welding job openings in New Boston and over 150 welding positions available statewide, with annual salaries ranging from $38,500 for entry-level workers to $86,000 for experienced professionals 1. Massachusetts ranks as the highest-paying state for welders in the nation at $53,090 annually compared to the national average of around $43,000 2. The welding job market in Boston and New Hampshire has remained resilient with the American Welding Society projecting that 80,000 welding jobs will need to be filled annually from 2025 to 2029 due to retirements and infrastructure investments 3. If you're considering becoming a welder in Boston, NH, this guide will walk you through licensing requirements, training programs, salary expectations, and advancement opportunities available in the region.
A career as a welder involves joining metal parts together using specialized equipment and techniques. This skilled trade requires strong manual dexterity, attention to detail, and the ability to follow precise technical specifications. Welders can be found working in many different capacities including pipe welding, structural welding, machine operation, soldering/brazing, fabrication, fitting, tack welding, and quality inspection 14.
Key industries driving local demand for welders include construction, manufacturing and fabrication, automotive, aerospace, and shipbuilding in both Boston and New Hampshire, which rely heavily on welding for major projects, production lines, and equipment maintenance 5. The demand for qualified welders remains strong and is expected to grow as the workforce ages and retirements increase.
Welders in Boston (Massachusetts) and New Hampshire need specific credentials to work in the profession:
Massachusetts Requirements:
New Hampshire Requirements:
Both states highly value AWS certification, which is often required for competitive employment in construction, manufacturing, and industrial welding applications. In Massachusetts, welders must also comply with MassDOT certification requirements depending on their work scope 6174.
To pursue a welding career in this region, you should meet these baseline criteria:
| Requirement | Description |
|---|---|
| Age | Minimum 18 years |
| Education | High school diploma or GED (math and science courses beneficial) |
| Skills | Strong hand-eye coordination and mechanical aptitude |
| Language | Ability to read, write, and understand English |
| Safety | Knowledge of safety practices and OSHA guidelines |
In Boston and New Hampshire, aspiring welders can build essential skills through:
Some highly-regarded local programs include:
These programs teach major welding processes including Shielded Metal Arc Welding (SMAW), Gas Metal Arc Welding (GMAW/MIG), Gas Tungsten Arc Welding (GTAW/TIG), and Flux-Cored Arc Welding (FCAW) plus blueprint reading, safety protocols, and equipment operation 14.
Apprenticeship opportunities provide vital experience for Massachusetts welders seeking licensing or NH workers aiming for higher pay. Many welding trade jobs in Boston and New Hampshire require candidates to complete formal apprenticeships, with starting wages typically around $25 per hour for program graduates 4. These programs combine both classroom instruction and real-world application.
To find apprenticeships:
During your apprenticeship, you'll work under experienced welders, learning practical skills on actual projects across construction, manufacturing, energy, and shipbuilding applications.
While New Hampshire doesn't require a state license, obtaining AWS certification enhances job prospects. Massachusetts welders must complete all requirements for state licensing which includes AWS training and a practical exam.
Certification options to consider:
These credentials open doors to better-paying positions in niche fields like aerospace welding, shipbuilding, or quality inspection roles with higher pay rates.
For welders in Boston and New Hampshire looking to grow, potential advancement opportunities include supervisory roles, certification as a Certified Welding Inspector (CWI), or specializing in niche fields such as underwater welding or pipeline welding which command higher salaries and greater job security 2.
The Boston and New Hampshire region offers multiple welding education pathways to choose from based on your career goals and timeline:
The local workforce development organizations and industry partners continue expanding these programs because of strong employer demand. With the New Hampshire welding employment projected to grow by 7% from 2022-2032 and nearly 320,000 new welding professionals needed nationally by 2029, completing quality education provides a fast-track into stable, skilled work 32.
Experienced welders in Boston and throughout New England have clear pathways to advancement beyond entry-level positions including:
| Opportunity | Requirements | Industries Employing |
|---|---|---|
| Welding Supervisor | Field experience, leadership skills | Manufacturing, Construction |
| Certified Welding Inspector (CWI®) | AWS CWI certification, 2+ years experience | Quality assurance and compliance roles |
| Specialty Welding | Additional training/certification | Pipeline, Aerospace, Underwater |
The demand for Certified Welding Inspectors in particular is growing as companies must maintain quality standards across Boston's construction sector, New Hampshire's manufacturing landscape, and regional shipbuilding operations. Specialized certifications like API 1104 for pipeline welding also create opportunities in energy infrastructure projects currently expanding in New England.
For those looking to build leadership roles, advancing from journeyman welder to team lead or supervisor is possible with proven technical ability and organizational skills gained through years on the job or through additional management training.
The current welder pay range in the Boston and New Hampshire region is quite favorable:
The job outlook remains strong across Boston, NH due to several key factors:
The New Hampshire Department of Employment Security projects 7% employment growth in welding through 2032, and the American Welding Society anticipates 80,000 welding jobs will need to be filled annually nationwide from 2025-2029 due to both retirements and increased demand 32.
Despite these promising prospects, the welding profession in Boston and New Hampshire faces several challenges:
To help address these issues, local community colleges and industry groups are expanding programs like flexible learning options at Nashua Community College and AWS-sanctioned apprenticeships across the region. Companies struggling with labor shortages are offering competitive wages right out of training programs at about $25/hour for new graduates, signaling strong local demand for skilled welding professionals.
Aspiring and entry-level welders can start their careers now through apprenticeship programs and technical training, taking advantage of strong local demand and competitive wages.
If you're interested in welding jobs or apprenticeship opportunities near Boston, NH:
With Boston and New Hampshire's growing demand for skilled tradespeople, the opportunities exist right now for individuals ready to build long-term careers in welding. The time to start your journey toward becoming a certified welder in Boston, NH is now.
https://www.earlbeck.com/welding-101-blog/2025-welding-career-outlook ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://www.boston.gov/news/spring-2025-boston-labor-market-report ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://www.thefabricator.com/thewelder/article/arcwelding/outlook-trends-and-pay-for-the-welding-workforce-according-to-aws-data ↩ ↩2 ↩3 ↩4
https://www.indeed.com/q-welding-l-new-boston,-nh-jobs.html ↩
