Welder in Cambridge, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Cambridge Stands

If you’re a welder looking at Cambridge, let’s cut to the chase: the money is solid, but it’s not San Francisco. The median salary for welders here is $51,315/year, which breaks down to about $24.67/hour. For context, that’s a bit above the national average of $49,590/year. It’s a respectable wage, especially considering the density of high-value manufacturing and construction in Greater Boston.

The job market itself is small but specialized. According to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data for the Cambridge metro area, there are approximately 236 welding jobs. That’s not a flood of openings, but it reflects a market that values skill over quantity. The 10-year job growth is projected at 2%, which is slower than the national average for welders. This isn’t a boomtown for the trade; it’s a steady, high-skill environment.

Here’s how that salary breaks down by experience level. Note that these are local market estimates based on industry surveys and job postings in the Greater Boston area.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Hourly Rate
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$42,000 - $48,000	$20 - $23
Mid-Level (2-5 yrs)	$51,315 (Median)	$24.67
Senior (5-10 yrs)	$60,000 - $72,000	$29 - $35
Expert/Specialist (10+ yrs)	$75,000 - $90,000+	$36 - $43+

Insider Tip: The jump from mid-level to senior is where you see the biggest pay increase in Cambridge. Specialized certs (like AWS D1.1 for structural steel or ASME Section IX for pressure vessels) are the key to breaking that $72,000 ceiling. Employers here pay for precision.

Now, let’s compare Cambridge to other major Massachusetts cities. This is a crucial reality check.

City	Median Salary (Welder)	Cost of Living Index (US Avg=100)	Rent (1BR Avg)
Cambridge	$51,315	111.6	$2,377/month
Boston	$52,100	115.8	$2,800/month
Worcester	$47,500	99.5	$1,550/month
Springfield	$45,200	92.3	$1,250/month

As you can see, Cambridge welders earn more than their counterparts in Central and Western MA, but they also face a significantly higher cost of living. The salary premium over Worcester is about 8%, but the rent is over 50% higher. This is the central tension of living and working in the Cambridge area.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get brutally practical. A $51,315 salary sounds good, but Cambridge’s cost of living is 11.6% above the national average. After federal, state (Massachusetts has a flat 5% income tax), and FICA taxes, your monthly take-home pay will be approximately $3,300.

Now, let’s build a sample monthly budget for a single welder living in Cambridge. This assumes a typical 40-hour work week.

Expense Category	Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$3,300	After taxes
Rent (1BR)	$2,377	Average for Cambridge
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$250	Older buildings can be drafty
Groceries & Household	$400	Shop at Market Basket or Stop & Shop
Transportation (MBTA Pass + Occasional Uber)	$120	The "T" is your lifeline
Car Payment/Insurance (if you have one)	$300	Not recommended; parking is a nightmare
Healthcare (Co-pays, etc.)	$150	Often covered by employer, but budget for it
Savings/Retirement (IRA, 401k)	$300	You must prioritize this
Discretionary (Eating out, entertainment)	$200	Be strategic; many cheap eats in Cambridge
Total	$4,097	You are in the red by ~$797

The Verdict on Rent: This budget is tight. To make $51,315 work in Cambridge, you cannot live alone in a standard 1BR apartment. You will need a roommate, which can bring rent down to a more manageable $1,400 - $1,600. Alternatively, look at neighboring Somerville, where average 1BR rent is slightly lower at $2,200.

Can you afford to buy a home? In Cambridge itself, the median home price is over $1.1 million. For a welder earning the median salary, buying a condo or single-family home in Cambridge is not feasible. Your target market is the suburbs. Cities like Revere, Everett, or parts of Malden have median home prices in the $500,000 - $650,000 range, which is challenging but possible with a dual income and a significant down payment. Long-term, you’re a commuter buyer.

Where the Jobs Are: Cambridge's Major Employers

The Cambridge welding job market is tied to three main sectors: biotech, advanced manufacturing, and infrastructure. You’re not working on car exhausts; you’re building the tools of innovation.

1. Biotech & Pharma Manufacturing: Companies like Moderna, Biogen, and the countless CDMOs (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organizations) in Kendall Square need welders with cleanroom experience. They build and maintain stainless steel process piping, tanks, and specialized equipment. This is a high-growth, high-precision niche. Hiring is steady but requires impeccable cleanliness and documentation skills.

2. University & Research Labs (Harvard & MIT): Both universities have massive in-house facilities teams. Welders here work on everything from structural steel for new buildings (like Harvard’s Allston campus) to custom lab equipment and research apparatus. These are often union jobs (Local 7 Ironworkers or Pipefitters) with excellent benefits. Hiring is periodic, tied to construction cycles.

3. Advanced Manufacturing & Robotics: Firms like iRobot (headquartered in Bedford, a short commute) and other robotics companies need welders for frames and enclosures. Similarly, companies like Bose (in Framingham) and various defense contractors in the region hire for precision metal fabrication. This work is often for aluminum and exotic alloys.

4. Shipbuilding & Maritime (Bath Iron Works - Maine): While not in Cambridge, the iconic shipyard is a major employer for Massachusetts welders willing to commute or relocate. It’s a 2-hour drive, but it offers extensive apprenticeship programs and high-paying union jobs. Many Cambridge-area welders start their careers here.

5. Infrastructure & Municipal Work: The Cambridge Public Works Department and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) hire welders for maintaining bridges, public buildings, and heavy equipment. These are stable, government jobs with great pensions but competitive hiring processes.

Hiring Trend Insight: The demand is for welders who can read complex blueprints, work with a variety of materials (carbon steel, stainless, aluminum), and often hold multiple certifications. The "weld-and-burn" generalist is less in demand than the "weld-and-document" specialist.

Getting Licensed in MA

Massachusetts does not have a state-level welder's license. Instead, certification is handled by private organizations, most notably the American Welding Society (AWS). However, there are critical requirements for specific jobs.

• State Requirements: For structural welding on public buildings or bridges, you need to be certified by the AWS in accordance with the Massachusetts State Building Code. For pipe welding on pressure vessels, you need ASME Section IX certification. The Massachusetts Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Inspectors oversees the latter.
• Costs:
  • AWS Certified Welder Exam: $350 - $500 per test (e.g., D1.1 Structural Steel).
  • Training Program (Community College): $5,000 - $15,000 for a certificate program at places like Bunker Hill Community College or Northern Essex Community College.
  • Apprenticeship: Often unpaid or low-paid during training, but leads to a journeyman wage.
• Timeline to Get Started:
  • Fast Track (1-2 months): If you already have experience, you can study for and take AWS certification exams directly. This is the fastest way to get a job.
  • Standard Path (6-12 months): Enroll in a community college welding certificate program. This provides structured training and access to certification testing.
  • Long-Term (3-4 years): Union apprenticeship (Ironworkers, Pipefitters, Boilermakers). This is the gold standard for benefits and long-term earnings but requires a long commitment.

Insider Tip: In Cambridge, having an OSHA 10 or 30-hour construction card is often a prerequisite for job site work, especially on university or biotech construction projects. It’s a cheap and easy certification that makes you more hireable.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Living in Cambridge proper is expensive. Your best bet is to live in a nearby neighborhood with a reasonable commute to job sites in Cambridge, Boston, or the suburbs.

1. Cambridgeport (Cambridge): A more affordable (by Cambridge standards) neighborhood near the river. Close to biotech labs and MIT. Commute: Walk, bike, or short bus ride. Rent Estimate: $2,200/month for a 1BR.
2. East Cambridge (Cambridge): Industrial past meets biotech future. Close to the Lechmere T station and many manufacturing shops. Can be gritty but practical. Rent Estimate: $2,100/month for a 1BR.
3. Assembly Square (Somerville): A revitalized area with new apartments, the Orange Line T stop, and easy access to I-93. Great for welders working in biotech or manufacturing north of the city. Rent Estimate: $2,400/month for a 1BR.
4. Medford (Near Wellington/Route 16): More residential, with slightly lower rents. A straight shot via bus or car to Cambridge/Boston. Good for those with a car. Rent Estimate: $1,900/month for a 1BR.
5. Chelsea (Border of Boston/Cambridge): The most affordable option on the list, with a large industrial base. Direct MBTA bus routes into East Cambridge. A working-class city with a strong manufacturing identity. Rent Estimate: $1,600/month for a 1BR.

Commute Insight: Avoid living west of Cambridge if you work in the city. The commute through the Charles River tunnels is a nightmare. Aim to live north, south, or directly in the city to keep commutes under 30 minutes.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year outlook for welders in Cambridge is stable but requires adaptation. The 2% job growth means you won’t see a surge in openings. Growth will come from specialization and moving into supervisory roles.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • Underwater Welding (Hyperbaric): Can command $75,000 - $100,000+ but requires extensive training and is a high-risk field. Not many local jobs, but relevant for offshore work.
  • Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): A path from hands-on work to quality control. Inspectors can earn $70,000 - $90,000. The AWS CWI exam is challenging but a career changer.
  • Welding Engineer: Requires a degree but offers a pathway to six figures. You’d be designing procedures, not just executing them.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Welding Foreman/Supervisor: Overseeing a crew on a job site. Requires leadership skills and deep knowledge. Pay: $65,000 - $85,000.
  2. Welding Instructor: Teaching at a community college or trade school. Pay: $55,000 - $75,000, with great summers off.
  3. Project Manager (with additional certs): For those who move into the office side of construction or manufacturing. Requires PMP cert or similar.

10-Year Outlook: The welder who thrives in Cambridge is the one who embraces technology. Robotic welding is on the rise, and the welder who can program, maintain, and work alongside robots will be invaluable. The generalist will face more competition; the specialist will be in demand.

The Verdict: Is Cambridge Right for You?

This is a high-cost, high-skill market. It rewards precision and punishes generalists. Here’s the final breakdown.

Pros	Cons
High concentration of advanced, clean work (biotech, tech)	Extremely high cost of living, especially rent
Access to top-tier training (AWS certs, union apprenticeships)	Competitive job market with fewer openings
Strong union presence for ironworkers, pipefitters, boilermakers	Slower job growth (2%) than national average
Proximity to world-class hospitals & universities (for benefits)	Buying a home in the city is unrealistic on a single income
Vibrant, diverse city with nightlife and culture	Traffic and parking are notoriously bad

Final Recommendation:

Cambridge is not the place for a welder looking for easy entry-level work or a low-cost lifestyle. It is an excellent choice for a mid-career welder with specialized certifications (AWS D1.1, ASME IX) who is seeking to transition into high-value manufacturing, biotech, or union construction. The path is clear: get your certifications, target employers like Moderna or Harvard facilities, and be prepared to live with a roommate or in an adjacent city like Chelsea or Medford.

If you’re willing to specialize and adapt, Cambridge offers a stable, skilled career path. If you’re looking for volume and low cost of living, your money will go much further in Worcester or Springfield.

FAQs

1. Can I get a welding job in Cambridge without a certification?
It’s very difficult. Most employers, especially in biotech and construction, require AWS certification as a baseline. Your best bet is to get certified first, then apply.

2. Is the union the way to go in Cambridge?
For long-term stability and benefits, yes. The Boston area has strong unions for ironworkers (Local 7), pipefitters (Local 537), and boilermakers (Local 29). Apprenticeships are competitive but pay off. For biotech, non-union shop work is more common but still requires certs.

3. How do I commute to a welding job without a car?
Many Cambridge jobs are accessible via the MBTA Red, Orange, or Green Lines, or key bus routes (e.g., 69, 83, 87). Living near a T stop is non-negotiable. For shop work in suburbs like Woburn or Billerica, a car is often essential.

4. What’s the best way to find a job quickly?

1. Get AWS certified in a common process (FCAW or GMAW). 2. Check union halls (Local 7, 537) for open calls. 3. Use LinkedIn and Indeed, but filter for "welding" and "Boston/Cambridge." 4. Network with welders at community colleges or trade shows.

5. Will I need to know how to weld aluminum?
Increasingly, yes. While carbon steel is the backbone, aluminum is key in biotech equipment, robotics, and aerospace-adjacent manufacturing. If you only know steel, your opportunities are limited. Learning aluminum is a smart investment.