Welder in Dover, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Dover Stands

As a local career analyst who’s watched the job market here for years, I can tell you that career decisions in Dover, NH, are all about understanding the local context. It’s a small city with a big personality, nestled between the University of New Hampshire (just a few miles up the road in Durham) and the industrial heart of the Seacoast. For welders, it’s a place of opportunity, but one that requires a clear-eyed look at the numbers.

Let’s get right to the data, because that’s what matters when you’re making a move.

The median salary for a Welder in the Dover metro area is $51,315 per year. That translates to an hourly rate of $24.67 per hour, assuming a standard 40-hour work week. This figure is based on data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) for the Portsmouth, NH-ME metro area, which includes Dover. It’s important to note that while Dover is our focus, the economic data for the region is often reported at this metro level.

Compared to the national average, which sits at $49,590 per year, Dover welders earn slightly more. This premium is typical for the New England region, which has a higher cost of living and a strong demand for skilled trades. In New Hampshire specifically, welders in the Seacoast region are among the higher-paid in the state, outpacing peers in more rural areas.

The job market here is tight. There are approximately 66 welder jobs currently in the metro area. That’s not a huge number, which means competition is real. The 10-year job growth for welders in the region is projected at 2%. This isn’t explosive growth, but it indicates steady, stable demand. Most of this demand isn’t from new companies springing up, but from the natural churn in existing manufacturing, shipbuilding, and infrastructure firms—people retiring, companies expanding their facilities, or taking on new contracts.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s how salaries break down by experience level. These are estimates based on local market data and BLS percentiles.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Estimated Hourly Rate
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$38,000 - $45,000	$18.25 - $21.65
Mid-Career (3-7 years)	$48,000 - $58,000	$23.08 - $27.88
Senior (8-15 years)	$55,000 - $68,000	$26.44 - $32.69
Expert/Specialist (15+ years)	$65,000+	$31.25+

Insider Tip: Your certification can significantly impact your starting pay. A welder with AWS D1.1 structural steel certification will walk in the door at the higher end of the entry-level range, while someone with specialized experience in TIG (GTAW) welding for aerospace or food-grade stainless steel can command a senior-level salary even with fewer years on the job.

Comparison to Other NH Cities

For a broader perspective, let’s see how Dover stacks up against other key job hubs in New Hampshire:

• Portsmouth: Salaries are often 5-10% higher due to the high concentration of defense contractors and marine industries. However, the cost of living, especially for housing, is the highest in the state.
• Manchester/Nashua (Southern NH): This is the state's most populous metro area, with a larger and more diverse job market. Salaries are competitive with Dover, often slightly higher due to a larger pool of employers, but the commute and urban density are different.
• Concord/Lebanon (Central NH): Salaries tend to be more in line with the state median, often slightly lower than the Seacoast. The job market is more focused on state government, healthcare, and smaller-scale manufacturing.
• Rochester/Somersworth: Direct neighbors to Dover, part of the same economic zone. Salaries and job availability are nearly identical to Dover, as companies in this area often draw from the same workforce.

Dover offers a compelling middle ground: salaries that are competitive with the state’s highest-paying regions, without the extreme housing costs of Portsmouth or the urban sprawl of Manchester.

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The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

The salary number is just the starting point. To understand if a welder’s wage is livable in Dover, you have to factor in New Hampshire’s unique tax structure and the local housing market.

The Context: New Hampshire has no state income tax on wages, but it does have a 5% tax on interest and dividends. The state has a 8.5% meals and rooms tax, but no general sales tax. Property taxes are among the highest in the nation, a key factor for homeowners.

Let’s break down the monthly finances for a welder earning the median salary of $51,315/year.

Monthly Budget Breakdown (Median Salary Welder)

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Gross Monthly Income	$4,276	($51,315 / 12)
Federal Taxes & FICA	~$730	This is an estimate. FICA (Social Security & Medicare) is 7.65%. Federal tax depends on filing status and deductions (e.g., standard deduction for a single filer in 2023 is $13,850). No state income tax.
Net Take-Home	~$3,546	Based on the above estimates.
Average 1BR Rent	$1,506	This is the current average for Dover and surrounding areas.
Utilities (Elec, Heat, Water, Internet)	$250 - $350	Varies greatly by season. Heating costs can spike in winter.
Car Payment & Insurance	$350 - $500	Assuming a used car loan. New Hampshire has no mandatory auto insurance, but it is highly recommended.
Health Insurance	$150 - $300	This varies wildly. If provided by an employer, your contribution could be much lower. If you're on the ACA marketplace, this is a realistic estimate.
Food & Groceries	$300 - $400	For a single person.
Fuel	$150 - $250	Dover is a driving city. Commutes to employers in Rochester, Portsmouth, or Newington are common.
Miscellaneous (Clothing, Entertainment, Savings)	$300 - $500	This is where you feel the squeeze.
Total Estimated Expenses	$3,280 - $3,800
Monthly Surplus/Deficit	-$254 to +$266

Can they afford to buy a home?
This is a tougher question. The median home price in Dover is currently around $425,000. With a 20% down payment ($85,000), you’d need a loan of $340,000. At a 7% interest rate (as of late-2023), the monthly mortgage payment (PITI) would be roughly $2,400 - $2,600.

For a single welder earning the median salary ($51,315), a $2,400/month mortgage payment would consume about 55% of their net take-home pay. This is well above the recommended 30-35% for housing costs. It’s a significant stretch and would require a very tight budget, a dual income, or a substantial down payment to be feasible.

Insider Tip: Many welders in Dover who buy homes do so as a couple or after gaining several years of experience and moving into a senior or specialist role. Renting for the first few years while building savings and a stronger resume is the most common and practical path.

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Where the Jobs Are: Dover's Major Employers

The job market for welders in Dover and the immediate Seacoast is anchored by a few key industries: marine manufacturing, precision machining, and infrastructure. Most employers are located on the outskirts of Dover, along Route 108, the Spaulding Turnpike, or in nearby Portsmouth.

Here are the major local employers for welders:

1. BAE Systems (Portsmouth & Newington): While not in Dover proper, BAE is the region’s largest employer for skilled trades. They build and maintain combat ships for the U.S. Navy. They hire structural welders, pipe welders, and aluminum welders. Hiring is cyclical, tied to federal defense budgets, but the work is steady for years at a time. They often have a large apprenticeship program.
2. General Dynamics Electric Boat (Quonset, RI & Groton, CT): A major submarine builder. While their facilities are in Rhode Island and Connecticut, they recruit heavily from the Seacoast, including Dover. They have a long-term, high-volume need for welders, especially those with experience in high-pressure environments. Commute is a factor, but they offer competitive pay and benefits.
3. Portsmouth Naval Shipyard (Kittery, ME): Just across the Piscataqua River. It’s a federal facility with stable, long-term employment. They need welders for ship repair and overhaul. The hiring process is slower and more bureaucratic (often requiring U.S. citizenship and the ability to get a security clearance), but the jobs are secure and well-compensated.
4. Sig Sauer (Newington, NH): A growing firearms manufacturer. They need welders for their facility operations, though the volume may not be as high as the shipyards. They represent a different side of manufacturing—precision, high-quality, and in a growing private sector.
5. Rochester Iron & Metal (Rochester, NH): A local scrap metal processor. While not a traditional fabrication shop, they are a key part of the metal supply chain. They may have opportunities for welders in equipment maintenance and repair.
6. Local Machine & Fabrication Shops: Dover and Rochester are dotted with smaller machine shops (e.g., Dover Machine Works, Northeast Precision) that serve the larger manufacturers. These shops are excellent places to cut your teeth. They often have a more varied type of work, from prototype welding to small-batch production. They are more likely to hire entry-level welders for support roles.
7. Infrastructure & Construction: Companies like Cianbro or Turner Construction have pipelines and projects in the region. They hire structural welders for bridge work, power plant construction, and industrial facility builds. These are often project-based, which can mean periods of intense work followed by downtime.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward specialization. Companies are less interested in a "utility welder" and more interested in someone with specific certifications (e.g., AWS D1.1, D1.6 for stainless, ASME Section IX for pipe). There’s also a strong push for welders who are proficient with modern tools, including robotic welding cells (where the welder programs and tends the robot) and advanced QC (quality control) techniques.

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Getting Licensed in NH

This is a common point of confusion. New Hampshire, unlike many states, does not have a state-level licensing requirement for welders. You do not need a state-issued license to weld commercially in New Hampshire.

However, don’t mistake that for "no requirements." Employers have their own standards, which are often based on national certifications.

What You Actually Need:

1. Certification from the American Welding Society (AWS): This is the gold standard. The most common is the AWS Certified Welder (CW) test, typically for structural steel (D1.1) or aluminum (D1.2). The test is performance-based—you weld a coupon, and it's visually inspected and, often, bend-tested. A single certification can cost $300 - $600 at a local testing facility (like the AWS-accredited lab at Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth).
2. Specialized Certifications: For pipe welding, the ASME Section IX certification is key. For food-grade or pharmaceutical work, you’ll need certifications in sanitary welds (often to 3A standards). These are more specific and can be obtained through employers or third-party testers.
3. OSHA 10 or 30: Many employers require at least an OSHA 10-Hour General Industry certification before you step on the shop floor. This can be done online for $50 - $120.
4. High School Diploma/GED: This is a baseline requirement for most formal apprenticeships and union programs.

The Timeline to Get Started:

• If you're starting from scratch (no experience):
  • Months 1-2: Enroll in a welding program at a community college (e.g., Great Bay Community College in Portsmouth or Welder Training & Testing Institute in nearby Manchester). This can cost $3,000 - $8,000 for a certificate program.
  • Month 3: Get your first AWS certification (e.g., D1.1). Many programs include this in the tuition.
  • Month 4: Apply for entry-level positions (weld helper, apprentice) at local shops or large employers. Be prepared for a practical test.
• If you're experienced and moving to NH:
  • Week 1: Get your OSHA 10 online if you don't have it.
  • Week 2: Contact local employers and unions (like Ironworkers Local 7 or Pipefitters Local 342) to understand their specific certification needs. They may offer testing or reimburse for it.
  • Timeline: You could be interviewing within a month. The key is to have your certifications and a clean work history ready to go.

Insider Tip: The Ironworkers Local 7 hall in Dover is a key resource. Even if you’re not union, they can tell you who’s hiring and what certifications are in demand. They often run hiring halls for contractors on big projects.

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Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Dover is a compact city, and where you live can affect your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Rent varies by neighborhood, but we’re talking about differences of $100-$300, not thousands.

1. Downtown Dover:

   • Commute/Lifestyle: Walkable, with restaurants, bars, and the Cochecho River. You’re within a 10-15 minute drive of most local shops. The lifestyle is more urban, with a mix of professionals, students, and young families.
   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,550 - $1,700/month.
   • Best For: Welders who value a walkable social life and don’t want a long commute. Younger professionals or couples.

2. South Dover (Route 108 Corridor):

   • Commute/Lifestyle: This is where many of the larger employers (machine shops, some industrial parks) are located. It’s more suburban with strip malls and big-box stores. Commutes to work are often under 10 minutes. It’s quiet and practical.
   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,450 - $1,550/month.
   • Best For: Welders who prioritize a short, easy commute to work above all else.

3. West Dover (Near the Spaulding Turnpike/Rte 125):

   • Commute/Lifestyle: More residential and family-oriented. Provides easy access to Rochester and the major highways (I-95, Spaulding Turnpike). Commutes to Portsmouth or BAE are straightforward. You’ll find more single-family homes and larger apartment complexes here.
   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,400 - $1,500/month.
   • Best For: Welders with families or those who need quick highway access for commuting to jobs outside of Dover.

4. Near the University of New Hampshire (Durham, bordering Dover):

   • Commute/Lifestyle: This area is dominated by the university. It has a college-town vibe—lots of students, rental properties, and amenities geared toward a younger crowd. It’s a short, easy commute into Dover.
   • Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,500 - $1,800/month (can be higher due to student demand).
   • Best For: Welders who are also students (e.g., in a part-time program) or who enjoy a more vibrant, youthful atmosphere.

Rent Reality Check: The average 1BR rent of $1,506/month is a good baseline, but budget for the higher end, especially for newer units. Always check listings on local sites like Zillow, Apartments.com, and even Facebook Marketplace for Dover-specific rentals.

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The Long Game: Career Growth

A welder’s career in Dover isn’t just about laying beads; it’s about strategically growing your skills and income over time. The 10-year job growth of 2% tells you that simply waiting for promotions isn’t a great plan. You have to be proactive.

Specialty Premiums & Advancement Paths:

• Pipe Welding: The most significant jump in pay. Certified ASME Section IX welders working on high-pressure systems in shipyards or power plants can earn $70,000 - $90,000+. The demand is high, and the barrier to entry is