Welder's Career Guide: Everett, WA

If you're a welder looking for a new city, Everett offers a unique blend of aerospace, maritime, and industrial work. It’s not as sprawling as Seattle, but the job density is real. I’ve lived in the Pacific Northwest for years, and I know Everett’s welders aren’t just filling seats—they’re building the things that fly and float. This guide cuts through the fluff with hard data and local insight.

The Salary Picture: Where Everett Stands

Let’s get straight to the numbers. The median salary for welders in Everett is $51,524 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.77. This is slightly above the national average of $49,590, but don’t let that fool you—cost of living in the Everett metro area is a significant factor, which we’ll tackle in the next section.

The local market isn't huge, with 222 welder jobs across the metro area. The 10-year job growth is projected at 2%, which is modest and reflects the mature, stable nature of the region's core industries (aerospace and marine). Growth isn't explosive, but demand is consistent.

To give you a clearer picture, here’s a typical experience-level breakdown for welders in Everett. These are estimates based on local job postings and union scales (like the International Association of Machinists and Aerospace Workers, IAM, which has a strong presence here).

Experience Level	Typical Years	Estimated Annual Salary	Common Employers
Entry-Level	0-2	$42,000 - $48,000	Local fabrication shops, smaller marine contractors
Mid-Level	2-5	$51,524 - $60,000	Major aerospace suppliers, shipyards, power plants
Senior	5-10	$65,000 - $80,000+	Boeing, Everett Ship Repair, specialized contractors
Expert/Specialist	10+	$85,000+	Aerospace R&D, certified welding inspectors, lead roles

How does Everett stack up against other WA cities?

• Seattle: Higher median salary (closer to $58,000), but rent is ~30% higher. Commute can be brutal.
• Tacoma/Olympia: Salaries are comparable ($50,000 - $55,000), with slightly lower rent. More maritime and port-related work.
• Spokane: Lower median salary (around $47,000) and much lower rent. More manufacturing and agricultural equipment focus.

Insider Tip: The premium in Everett is for certifications. A welder with a AWS D1.1 (Structural Steel) or ASME Section IX certification can easily command $2-5 more per hour than a non-certified peer. Boeing and its suppliers don't mess around with credentials.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

A median salary looks good on paper, but the real question is what’s left after Uncle Sam and your landlord. Let’s run the numbers for a single filer earning $51,524 annually.

Assumptions: Federal tax (~12%), WA state tax (0% - no state income tax), FICA (7.65%). This is a simplification; use a payroll calculator for your exact situation.

• Gross Monthly Income: $51,524 / 12 = $4,293.67
• Estimated Monthly Take-Home (after ~20% deductions): ~$3,435

Now, factor in the average 1BR rent of $1,864/month. That leaves you with $1,571 for everything else: utilities, groceries, insurance, gas, savings, and fun.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for an Everett Welder:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$1,864	Varies by neighborhood (see below)
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Water, Internet)	$220	Average for Everett. Winter heating can spike.
Groceries & Household	$400	Shop at Fred Meyer or Costco to save.
Transportation (Gas, Insurance, Maintenance)	$250	Assumes a car payment; Everett is car-dependent.
Health Insurance (if not employer-covered)	$200	Often covered by employers in this sector.
Savings/Debt/Discretionary	$501	This is your buffer.
TOTAL	$3,435	Matches estimated take-home

Can you afford to buy a home?
On a $51,524 salary, it’s a stretch without a significant down payment. The median home price in Everett is roughly $550,000. Following the 28/36 rule (28% of gross income on housing), your maximum monthly mortgage payment would be about $1,200. That’s barely enough for a down payment on a condo, let alone a single-family home. Most welders I know in Everett either rent or buy with a dual-income household. If homeownership is a goal, you’d need to specialize (pushing your salary to $70,000+) or look at more affordable suburbs like Marysville or Lake Stevens.

Where the Jobs Are: Everett's Major Employers

Everett’s economy is anchored by a few giants and a web of supporting suppliers. Welding jobs here are less about retail and more about heavy industry.

1. The Boeing Company (Everett Plant): The elephant in the room. This is the world's largest building by volume. Boeing hires welders directly for its commercial airplane programs (777X, 787) and through contractors. They use advanced processes like laser welding and friction stir welding. Hiring is cyclical but steady. Insider Tip: Getting on with a Boeing supplier first (like SPS or CYR) is a common path to direct Boeing employment.

2. Everett Ship Repair: A major player in the maritime sector. They service Navy vessels, tugs, and ferries. Work is often MIG and stick welding on thick steel. Projects can be intense, with overtime common during dry dock periods. They value AWS D1.1 and naval specifications.

3. PACCAR (Peterbilt & Kenworth): Their component manufacturing plant in nearby Renton but has a significant supply chain presence in Everett. They need welders for truck frames, exhaust systems, and specialized components. This is more of a high-volume, production-line environment.

4. Weyerhaeuser (Federal Way Mill): While not in Everett proper, it's a major regional employer. They need welders for mill maintenance, conveyor systems, and wood product machinery. The work is a mix of repair and fabrication.

5. Cascade Fabrication & Machine: A local, well-respected shop. They do custom metal fabrication for aerospace, marine, and industrial clients. This is a great place for a welder to get broad experience with different materials and processes. Hiring tends to be for immediate project needs.

6. Port of Everett: The port manages the marina, industrial tenants, and waterfront development. They employ welders for dock maintenance, crane repairs, and infrastructure projects. The work is public-sector and often unionized (ILWU or IAM).

Hiring Trends: The shift is toward automation and robotics. Boeing and its suppliers are increasingly using robotic welding cells. This doesn't eliminate jobs, but it changes the skill set. Welders who can program, maintain, and troubleshoot robotic systems are in high demand and can earn a premium.

Getting Licensed in WA

Washington State does not have a mandatory state license for welders. However, the industry has its own, stricter requirements.

1. Certifications are King: Employers, especially Boeing and shipyards, require specific certifications. The most common are:

   • AWS (American Welding Society) Certifications: D1.1 (Structural Steel), D1.6 (Stainless Steel), D1.5 (Bridge Welding).
   • ASME Section IX: For pressure vessels and piping (common in power plants and chemical facilities).
   • Military & Naval Specs: For work on government contracts (e.g., MIL-STD-248).

2. How to Get Certified: You can test at an accredited testing facility. In the region, places like Lake Washington Institute of Technology in Kirkland or Bellingham Technical College offer testing. You’ll need to pay for the test, which typically runs $150 - $300 per position/process.

3. Timeline: If you’re starting from scratch, expect a 6-month to 1-year timeline to get your foundational certifications. Many community colleges offer short-term welding programs (like at Edmonds Community College or Bellingham Tech) that include certification testing.

4. Continuing Ed: To maintain some certifications (like AWS), you may need to document ongoing work or take refresher courses every few years. Budget about $200-$500/year for this.

Insider Tip: The International Association of Machinists (IAM) District 751 has a strong training center in Seattle. If you can get into their apprenticeship program, you’ll get paid training, certifications, and a direct pipeline to aerospace jobs. It’s competitive, but worth the effort.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Where you live affects your commute, budget, and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Why It's Good for Welders
North Central Everett	Practical, central. 10-15 min to Boeing, Port.	$1,700	Close to major employers. Older apartments, but affordable.
Glacier View / Airport Rd.	Quiet, suburban feel. 15-20 min to Boeing.	$1,800	Newer apartments, easy I-5 access. Good for families.
Downtown Everett	Urban, walkable. 10-20 min to jobs (traffic dependent).	$1,950	More nightlife, restaurants. Less parking. Good for younger welders.
Silver Lake / View Ridge	Family-oriented, safe. 20-25 min to Boeing.	$2,000+	Parks, good schools. Longer commute, but quality of life.
Mukilteo (Waterfront)	Small-town, scenic. 25-30 min to Boeing.	$2,200+	Premium for the water view. Commute can be heavy.

Commute Reality: Traffic on I-5 and Highway 526 (Airport Rd.) can add 15-30 minutes to your drive, especially during shift changes at Boeing (6 AM, 2:30 PM, 10:30 PM). If you work at the Port or downtown, living south (in North Central) is efficient.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 10-year job growth of 2% suggests stability over boom times. Your career trajectory will depend on specialization.

• Path 1: The Specialist: Master a niche. Aerospace welding (titanium, Inconel) or underwater welding (through commercial diving schools) can push your salary to $80,000 - $100,000+. This requires advanced training and travel.
• Path 2: The Inspector: Move into Certified Welding Inspector (CWI) or Non-Destructive Testing (NDT). CWIs in Everett can earn $75,000 - $95,000. It’s less physically demanding and offers long-term job security.
• Path 3: The Leader: Become a Welding Foreman or Supervisor. This requires leadership skills and deep process knowledge. Salaries can exceed $90,000 at large companies like Boeing.

10-Year Outlook: Automation will continue, but human welders will remain critical for custom, complex, and repair work. The demand for robotic welding programmers and maintenance technicians will grow faster than the base welding field. If you want to future-proof your career, get comfortable with technology.

The Verdict: Is Everett Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Stable, high-quality employers (Boeing, shipyards).	High cost of living, especially rent.
No state income tax boosts take-home pay.	Job growth is slow (2%); market is competitive.
Strong union presence offers good wages/benefits.	Weather is gray and wet most of the year.
Access to nature (mountains, water) on weekends.	Car-dependent city; public transit is limited.
Pathways to specialization (aerospace, maritime).	Housing affordability is a major challenge for singles.

Final Recommendation: Everett is an excellent choice for a welder with 2-5 years of experience who is ready to specialize and can secure a job with a major employer or union. It’s less ideal for entry-level welders without certifications or those on a tight budget. If you can land a role at Boeing or a union shop, the benefits and wage growth can offset the cost of living. For the long term, plan to upskill into inspection or management, or be part of a dual-income household to afford a home.

FAQs

Q: Is it hard to get a job at Boeing as a welder?
A: Yes, it's competitive. They often hire through temp agencies or suppliers first. Having AWS D1.1 and ASME IX certifications is almost mandatory. Persistence and networking at local trade events are key.

Q: Do I need a car in Everett?
A: For 95% of welders, yes. Major employers are in industrial areas not serviced well by public transit. A reliable car is a necessity for commuting and getting to job sites.

Q: What's the overtime like?
A: It varies. Shipyards like Everett Ship Repair have intense overtime during overhaul seasons. Aerospace suppliers often have project-based overtime. It’s a great way to boost your income, but can be unpredictable.

Q: Are there any local resources for job seekers?
A: Check the Workforce Snohomish website for job listings and training resources. The Everett Community College also offers career counseling and sometimes has partnerships with local employers.

Q: How does the weather affect welding work?
A: Most of your work will be indoors. However, for outdoor or shipyard work, you’ll deal with rain and cold. Proper gear and working in covered dry docks are standard. The damp climate can affect some materials, so proper storage and handling are important.