Welder in Manchester, NH

The Salary Picture: Where Manchester Stands

As a welder considering a move to Manchester, New Hampshire, you’re looking at a market where your skills are in steady demand, but the numbers tell a nuanced story. Let’s get straight to the data. The median salary for welders in the Manchester-Nashua metropolitan area is $50,348 per year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.21. This sits just slightly above the national average for welders, which is $49,590/year. It’s not a massive premium, but it’s a positive indicator, especially when you factor in New Hampshire’s lack of a state income tax. The metro area supports approximately 230 welding jobs, and while the 10-year job growth projection is a modest 2%, it’s important to understand what that really means for your career stability.

This growth figure isn’t about explosive expansion; it’s about replacement and steady demand. In a region with an aging workforce and a strong manufacturing and infrastructure base, welders with modern certifications (like AWS D1.1 structural steel or ASME Section IX for pipe) will find consistent opportunities. The 2% growth translates to a handful of new roles each year, but the primary driver for hiring will be retiring welders and the need to fill existing, stable positions in key local industries.

To give you a clearer picture of earning potential, here’s how salaries typically break down by experience level in the Manchester area. These are estimates based on regional data and employer surveys.

Experience Level	Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range	Typical Hourly Rate
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$36,000 - $45,000	$17.25 - $21.65
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$48,000 - $58,000	$23.00 - $27.88
Senior Welder	8-15 years	$55,000 - $68,000	$26.44 - $32.69
Expert/Supervisor	15+ years	$65,000 - $78,000+	$31.25 - $37.50+

When you compare Manchester to other major hubs in New Hampshire, the landscape varies. The Portsmouth area, with its shipyards and naval shipyard proximity, often commands higher wages, potentially 5-10% above Manchester’s median, but the cost of living, especially housing, is significantly steeper. The Concord area may see similar or slightly lower wage ranges but with a smaller job market of about 150-180 welding positions. For a welder prioritizing a balance of decent wages, manageable living costs, and job stability, Manchester presents a compelling case. The $50,348 median salary supports a comfortable lifestyle here, especially when you consider the tax benefits and the city’s role as a central hub for manufacturing and construction in southern New Hampshire.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Understanding your gross salary is only half the battle; the real question is what you can afford. New Hampshire has no state income tax, which is a significant advantage. However, it does have a 8.5% state sales tax on prepared meals and a property tax that varies by municipality, typically around 1.5-2.0% of assessed value. For a single person earning the median $50,348 year, here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown.

Category	Monthly Estimate	Notes
Gross Monthly Pay (pre-tax)	$4,195	Based on $50,348/year
Federal Tax & FICA (approx.)	$750 - $850	Varies by filing status, deductions.
Net Take-Home Pay	~$3,345 - $3,445	After federal taxes and FICA.
Average 1BR Rent	$1,348	Manchester metro average.
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Internet)	$200 - $250	Seasonal variance, especially heating.
Car Payment/Insurance	$400 - $600	Essential for commuting in NH.
Food & Groceries	$400 - $500	Based on a single person.
Fuel & Maintenance	$150 - $200
Health Insurance (employer)	$200 - $400	Varies widely by plan.
Remaining Discretionary	$345 - $897	After essential expenses.

This budget shows that on a median salary, you have a comfortable cushion after covering high-priority expenses like rent and a vehicle. The key is managing discretionary spending. For a dual-income household, the financial picture becomes significantly more favorable.

Can you afford to buy a home? The short answer is yes, it’s plausible but requires careful planning. The median home price in Manchester is approximately $375,000. With a 10% down payment ($37,500), a 30-year mortgage at a 7% interest rate would result in a monthly payment of roughly $2,200 (including principal, interest, taxes, and insurance). Given your take-home pay of ~$3,400/month, that would consume about 65% of your net income—far above the recommended 30% guideline. However, this changes dramatically with two incomes or a larger down payment. Many welders in Manchester start by renting in nearby towns like Derry or Londonderry, where prices are slightly lower, while saving aggressively. Partnering with a spouse or partner who also works is the most common path to homeownership in this market. An insider tip: Many local construction and manufacturing companies offer good benefits packages, sometimes including 401(k) matching, which can be leveraged for a first-time homebuyer’s program down the line.

Where the Jobs Are: Manchester's Major Employers

Manchester’s economy is built on a foundation of healthcare, education, and—critically for you—advanced manufacturing, construction, and industrial services. The job market for welders is concentrated in a few key sectors. Here are the primary local employers you should target, based on their size, stability, and consistent need for skilled tradespeople.

1. BAE Systems (Nashua, 20-minute commute): While technically in Nashua, this is arguably the largest single employer of welders in the region. They work on defense contracts, requiring highly skilled welders for aerospace and naval components. They prioritize welders with certifications in GMAW (MIG) and GTAW (TIG) and often seek experience with aluminum and stainless steel. Hiring is steady, and they offer some of the most competitive benefits in the state. Insider Tip: BAE often posts jobs on their own portal rather than general job boards. Get your resume directly into their system.

2. St. Joseph Hospital / Dartmouth-Hitchcock (Manchester): This is the city’s largest hospital system and a major employer of welders in a different capacity. Their facilities management and biomedical engineering departments hire welders for maintenance, repair, and fabrication of medical equipment, structural supports, and custom fixtures. It’s a stable, union environment (SEIU) with exceptional benefits and predictable hours. Insider Tip: Check the “Facilities” or “Support Services” tabs on their careers page, not just the clinical roles.

3. Manchester Public Works: The City of Manchester is a direct employer. The Public Works Department needs welders for maintaining the city’s water and sewer infrastructure, vehicle repair, and public works equipment. These are civil service positions, often unionized (Teamsters), with strong pensions and job security. Hiring can be cyclical, tied to the city budget, but these roles are gold for long-term stability. Insider Tip: You must take a civil service exam for most of these roles. The exam dates are posted on the City of Manchester website.

4. Local Steel Fabricators (Multiple): Companies like M&J Steel and Twin State Metals (just across the river in Claremont) are the backbone of the construction sector. They fabricate structural steel for commercial buildings, bridges, and industrial projects. These shops are always looking for competent welders proficient in stick welding (SMAW) and flux-cored (FCAW) for field work. The work can be project-based, but the shops themselves are stable. Insider Tip: Showing up in person with a portfolio of your work (photos of your beads, joints, and projects) is still a respected move in this industry.

5. Advanced Industrial Services (AIS) (Raymond, 25-minute commute): AIS is a major contractor for shutdowns, turnarounds, and outages at power plants and refineries throughout New England. This is high-intensity, often travel-based work (though many jobs are within a 2-hour radius). Pay can be $30-$40/hour+ for experienced pressure welders, but it’s project-based. It’s a great way to earn above median wages while based in Manchester. Insider Tip: The core crew is small; networking at local welding supply stores (like Airgas in Hooksett) is key to hearing about these gigs before they’re posted.

Getting Licensed in NH

New Hampshire takes a practical approach to welding certification. Unlike some states that require a state-issued license to practice, New Hampshire operates on a certification-based system, primarily aligned with the American Welding Society (AWS) and American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) standards. There is no all-encompassing “welder’s license” from the state.

State-Specific Requirements & Costs:

• No State Welder’s License: You do not need a license from the state to perform most welding work.
• Critical Exception – Pressure Vessels: For welding on pressure vessels, boilers, and piping (ASME code work), you must be certified by the NH Board of Boiler and Pressure Vessel Rules. This requires a separate application, exam, and fee. The cost is typically $150-$250 for the application and exam.
• Structural Steel & General Fabrication: For most of the jobs listed above (BAE, fabricators, public works), employers require AWS certifications specific to the job (e.g., AWS D1.1 Structural Steel). These are obtained through a testing facility, not the state.
• Cost of AWS Certification: A typical AWS certification test (e.g., 3F/3G in GMAW) costs between $300 and $600, depending on the testing center. This is a personal investment, but it’s the single most valuable credential you can have.

Timeline to Get Started:

1. Months 0-6: If you’re new, enroll in a welding program. Manchester Community College (MCC) offers a well-regarded 1-year certificate program. Cost: ~$8,000-$12,000 for in-state students. This prepares you for your first AWS cert.
2. Months 6-9: Obtain your first AWS certification. Practice hard, then test at a facility like the Manchester Community College welding lab or a private testing center.
3. Month 9+: Start applying for jobs. Even with one cert, you can get an entry-level role. On the job, you’ll earn more certs (e.g., 4G, 5G, 6G for pipe) which are funded by the employer.
4. On-the-Job: If you pursue pressure work, your employer will typically guide you through the state pressure vessel certification process once you have the requisite experience (usually 1-3 years).

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Choosing where to live in Manchester depends on your commute tolerance, lifestyle, and budget. Here’s a breakdown of neighborhoods and nearby towns that are popular with tradespeople.

Neighborhood/Area	Vibe & Commute	Avg. 1BR Rent	Insider Tip
North End / Piscataquog River Area	The industrial heart. Close to BAE, downtown, and I-93. Walkable to some amenities. Gentrifying.	$1,200 - $1,400	Look for apartments off S. Beech St. or Elm St. Great for minimizing commute costs if you work near downtown or I-293.
West Side / Rimmon Heights	Established residential, more single-family homes. Quieter, good for families. 10-15 min to downtown.	$1,300 - $1,500	A bit more suburban feel. Good access to Route 3 for commuting to Nashua (BAE). Parking is easier here.
Derry (15 minutes east)	A classic New England town with its own downtown. More affordable than Manchester proper.	$1,250 - $1,450	Very popular with commuters. Has its own grocery stores, restaurants, and a great sense of community. Less "city" feel.
Hooksett (15 minutes north)	Small, rural town right on the Merrimack River. Extremely easy highway access (I-93).	$1,200 - $1,350	Ideal for anyone working at BAE or in the industrial parks north of the city. Very low traffic.
Londonderry (20 minutes east)	Suburban, lots of new apartment complexes and single-family homes. Great schools.	$1,400 - $1,600	A bit pricier, but you get more space and modern amenities. Direct access to Route 102 and I-93.

Insider Tip: Many welders I know prioritize a short, predictable commute. Traffic on I-93 southbound into Manchester in the morning and northbound out in the evening can add 20-30 minutes to your trip. Living on the same side of the river as your main job site is a huge quality-of-life upgrade.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 2% 10-year job growth sounds low, but it doesn’t capture the internal mobility and specialization that define a welder’s career in this region. The path to higher earnings isn’t about more jobs; it’s about acquiring higher-value skills.

Specialty Premiums:

• Pipe Welding (ASME Section IX): This is the gold standard. Welders certified on 6G pipe (45-degree overhead fix) can command $30-$35/hour or more in industrial settings. This is the path to the Advanced Industrial Services type of work.
• Certified Welding Inspector (CWI): With 5+ years of experience, you can study for the AWS CWI exam. This is a massive career pivot from hands-on welding to oversight and quality control. CWIs in the Manchester area can earn $75,000 - $95,000. It’s a desk job, but it uses your deep knowledge.
• Structural Supervision: Moving from a welder to a foreman or superintendent in a construction or fabrication shop is common. This adds project management and people skills. Pay range: $65,000 - $85,000.

Advancement Path:
The typical path is: Entry-Level Shop Fabricator -> Certified Field Welder (Structural) -> Specialist (Pipe, Aerospace, Maintenance) -> Supervisor/CWI. Each step requires more certs and experience, but the employers listed (BAE, Public Works, AIS) have clear ladders. Many offer tuition reimbursement for advanced certifications (like a CWI).

10-Year Outlook:
Manchester’s manufacturing base is mature, not booming. However, its strategic location in New England and the presence of stable employers like BAE and the hospital system ensure steady demand. The biggest opportunity is in the energy sector. New England’s aging power infrastructure (pipelines, power plants) will require constant maintenance and upgrade work for the next decade, favoring welders with pressure and stainless-steel specialties. The key to a successful 10-year outlook in Manchester is to specialize early. Don’t just be a welder; be a pipe welder, a stainless TIG welder, or a welding inspector. That’s where the wage premiums and job security are.

The Verdict: Is Manchester Right for You?

Pros	Cons
No State Income Tax – A direct boost to your take-home pay.	High Property Taxes – Can make homeownership costly without a second income.
Stable, Diverse Employer Base – From defense and healthcare to city government.	Modest Job Growth – You’ll be competing for existing roles, not an exploding market.
Central NH Location – Easy access to Boston (1hr), the Seacoast, and the Lakes Region for weekends.	Winter Weather – Seasonal challenges for commuting and outdoor work.
Affordable Rentals (vs. National Hubs) – A median salary supports a decent life here.	Limited Nightlife – Manchester has a growing scene, but it’s not a major city vibe.
Strong Union Presence – In many sectors (hospital, city jobs), offering good benefits and pensions.	Traffic Choke Points – I-93 and the Everett Turnpike can be congested during rush hour.

Final Recommendation:
Manchester, NH, is an excellent choice for a welder who values stability, a reasonable cost of living, and a high quality of life over explosive career growth or a fast-paced urban environment. It’s ideal for mid-career welders with 3-7 years of experience who are ready to specialize and settle down. It’s also a smart move for a young