Welder in Somerville, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Somerville Stands

If you're a welder looking at the Somerville market, the numbers tell a specific story. The median salary for welders here is $51,315/year. That breaks down to an hourly rate of $24.67/hour. This is slightly above the national average, which sits at $49,590/year, by about 3.5%. However, this local premium comes with a cost—both in terms of living expenses and competition.

The job market is tight and specific. There are approximately 160 welder jobs in the Greater Boston metro area, which includes Somerville. This isn't a sprawling field; it's a concentrated pool of opportunities, largely tied to the region's dense network of biotech, construction, and advanced manufacturing firms. The 10-year job growth projection is 2%, which is slower than the national average for skilled trades. This indicates that while positions are stable, breaking into the market requires a focused approach and often, a specific skill set.

To understand where you might fit in, here's a breakdown of salary expectations by experience level. These figures are based on local market data and general industry trends for the Boston area.

Experience Level	Typical Years of Experience	Estimated Annual Salary Range
Entry-Level	0-2 years	$42,000 - $48,000
Mid-Career	3-7 years	$51,000 - $58,000
Senior	8-15 years	$60,000 - $72,000
Expert/Specialist	15+ years	$75,000+

How does this compare to other Massachusetts cities?

• Boston: Salaries are often 5-10% higher (median around $55,000+) due to the sheer concentration of high-tech and biotech manufacturing, but the cost of living and commute are also significantly higher.
• Worcester: Salaries are closer to the national average (~$48,000), but the cost of living is notably lower. The job market is more focused on traditional manufacturing and healthcare.
• Springfield: Similar to Worcester, salaries are moderate (~$47,000), with a lower cost of living. The job base is more diverse, including aerospace and automotive sectors.

Insider Tip: The $51,315 median is heavily influenced by the mix of employers in the area. A welder at a small, local machine shop may earn less, while one performing specialized TIG welding for a biotech equipment fabricator will be at the higher end of that mid-career range. Your certification and specific process expertise (e.g., GTAW/TIG, GMAW/MIG, FCAW) are your biggest levers for salary negotiation.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's be blunt: the cost of living in Somerville, and the Greater Boston area in general, is a major factor in your financial planning. The metro area's Cost of Living Index is 111.6, meaning it's 11.6% higher than the national average. Housing is the primary driver.

For a single earner making the median salary of $51,315, here’s a realistic monthly budget breakdown after taxes and rent.

Assumptions:

• Gross Monthly Income: $4,276
• Estimated Take-Home Pay (after ~24% for taxes, FICA, etc.): ~$3,250
• Average 1BR Rent in Somerville: $2,064

Expense Category	Monthly Cost (Est.)	Notes
Rent (1BR)	$2,064	Assumes a modest apartment in a less expensive neighborhood.
Utilities (Electric, Gas, Internet)	$180	Can be higher in older buildings with poor insulation.
Car Payment / Insurance / Gas	$400	Crucial Note: Many welders in the area own a vehicle for work sites, but parking in Somerville can be a nightmare and costly.
Groceries	$350
Health Insurance (out-of-pocket)	$150	Highly variable; some employers offer better plans.
Savings & Other	$106
Total Expenses	$3,250

Can you afford to buy a home?
On a $51,315 salary, buying a home in Somerville is a significant challenge. The median home price in Somerville is over $800,000. A 20% down payment ($160,000) is out of reach for most at this income level. Even with a lower down payment, the monthly mortgage payment would likely exceed $4,000, making it unaffordable. Most welders in the area who own homes either have dual incomes, purchased in more affordable suburbs (like Lowell or Lawrence), or have progressed significantly in their careers to expert-level salaries. For the median earner, renting is the standard.

Insider Tip: Look for apartments that include heat and hot water, especially in older triple-deckers common in Somerville. This can save you $50-$100/month on utilities during the brutal New England winters.

Where the Jobs Are: Somerville's Major Employers

The job market for welders in and around Somerville is not about large shipyards; it's about precision, clean-room fabrication, and specialized construction. The employers are a mix of high-tech, medical, and infrastructure.

1. Vertex Pharmaceuticals (Boston/Cambridge): While not a welder in the traditional sense, their massive construction and expansion projects require welders for structural steel and process piping. These are often high-paying, temporary gig jobs through subcontractors like Turner Construction or Skanska.
2. GE Healthcare (Waukegan, MA but significant presence in Boston): GE's life sciences division manufactures medical equipment. Welders here are often working with exotic alloys for MRI machines and other diagnostic equipment. It's a high-precision, clean environment. Skills in TIG welding and stainless steel are key.
3. Biomedical Manufacturing Companies: Somerville is home to a growing cluster of biomedical startups and mid-sized firms (e.g., T2 Biosystems, Selecta Biosciences) that need custom equipment fabricated. This work is often outsourced to local machine shops, creating steady work for certified welders.
4. Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) - Ayer MA Shops: While a commute from Somerville, the MBTA's rail and bus maintenance facilities in nearby Ayer and in Boston's Charlestown neighborhood employ welders for rail car repair and structural maintenance. These are union (AFSCME) jobs with excellent benefits and pensions.
5. Local Machine & Fabrication Shops: This is the backbone of the market. Shops like Northeast Precision (in nearby Billerica) or Boston Machine Works (Charlestown) serve the aerospace, defense, and medical sectors. They often hire for MIG and TIG welding roles. Insider Tip: Getting your foot in the door at one of these shops is often the best path to building a local reputation.
6. Union Halls (Ironworkers Local 7, Pipefitters Local 537): For structural or pipe welding, joining a union hall is essential. They dispatch welders to major construction projects across the city and region. The work can be cyclical but pays top-tier wages (often $50+/hour with benefits). You need to pass their rigorous aptitude test and interview.
7. General Contractors (e.g., Shawmut Design & Construction): Shawmut, based in Boston, often hires in-house welders for their high-end retail, hospitality, and lab projects. They look for versatility and the ability to work on intricate architectural metalwork.

Hiring Trends: The trend is toward specialized skills. Companies are less likely to hire a general "welder" and more likely to seek a "TIG welder for stainless steel process piping" or a "MIG welder for structural steel fabrication." Digital literacy (reading CAD drawings) is increasingly expected.

Getting Licensed in MA

Massachusetts has specific requirements for welders, depending on the type of work.

• State Welding License: Massachusetts does not have a general, statewide welding license. However, you must be licensed to perform welding on public or private boilers and pressure vessels. This is handled by the Massachusetts Board of Examiners of Stationary Engineers.

  • Requirements: Typically require 5 years of apprenticeship or equivalent experience, passing a written and practical exam.
  • Cost: Exam fees are approximately $150-$200. Apprenticeship programs have their own costs.
  • Timeline: If you already have experience, you can apply for the exam. If starting from scratch, an apprenticeship (see below) is 3-4 years.

• AWS Certifications: While not state-mandated for all jobs, American Welding Society (AWS) certifications are the industry standard and are required by most employers for specific jobs. The most common is the AWS Certified Welder (CWI) for specific processes (e.g., D1.1 for structural steel).

  • Cost: Certification test fees range from $100-$300 per test, depending on the testing facility.
  • Timeline: You can prepare and test in weeks or months, depending on your skill level.

• Apprenticeship: The most direct path is through a registered apprenticeship program, often union-affiliated. The Ironworkers Local 7 and Pipefitters Local 537 run extensive programs. They combine on-the-job training with classroom instruction. You earn a wage while you learn, starting around 50% of the journeyman rate and increasing annually.

Insider Tip: Even if a job doesn't require a state license, having an AWS certification on your resume is a non-negotiable advantage. It shows you understand codes and standards, which is critical in a safety-conscious market like Boston.

Best Neighborhoods for Welders

Your neighborhood choice will dictate your commute, rent, and lifestyle. Here’s a breakdown tailored for a working welder.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Pros for a Welder	Cons
East Somerville	Working-class, diverse, close to Charlestown & Cambridge.	$1,900 - $2,200	Proximity to MBTA rail shops in Charlestown. Good access to highways (Rt. 93). More affordable.	Can be noisy, less "polished" than other parts of Somerville.
Teele Square	Residential, family-friendly, quiet.	$2,000 - $2,300	Safe, good parking (by Somerville standards). Close to Route 2 for commuting to western suburbs.	Farther from the core job hubs in Cambridge/Boston. Requires a longer drive or bus ride.
Assembly Square	Modern, commercial, transit-oriented.	$2,400+	Walk to Orange Line for a car-free commute to many job sites. New amenities.	Expensive. Can feel sterile and less "neighborhoody."
Magoun Square	Up-and-coming, mixed-use.	$2,100 - $2,400	Good balance of urban and residential. Walkable to some shops.	Parking is extremely limited. Still gentrifying.
Living in a nearby suburb (e.g., Malden, Medford)	More space, easier parking, often lower rent.	$1,700 - $2,000	Significant cost savings. Still on the Orange Line or bus routes. More likely to have a garage/workspace.	Longer commute to Somerville/Cambridge jobs. Less of the "city" feel.

Final Neighborhood Advice: If you have a car and work at a shop in Billerica or Lowell, living in East Somerville or a nearby suburb like Malden makes the most financial and logistical sense. If you're targeting union jobs on construction sites in downtown Boston, being near the Orange Line (Assembly, Wellington) is a major asset.

The Long Game: Career Growth

The 2% job growth doesn't mean you're stuck. It means advancement is based on specialization, not volume.

• Specialty Premiums:

  • TIG Welder (GTAW): +10-20% over base MIG welder salary. Essential for biotech, food-grade, and aerospace work.
  • Structural Welder (D1.1 certified): +15-25%. Required for ironworking and major construction projects.
  • Pipe Welder (6G certification): +20-30%+. This is the highest-paid, most demanding specialty, especially for high-pressure systems in pharmaceutical plants.
  • Welding Inspector (CWI): +30-50%+. Moving from hands-on welding to quality control and inspection can double your salary.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Specialist to Supervisor: Become the go-to expert in a specific process (e.g., orbital welding) and move into a lead or shop foreman role.
  2. Welder to Welding Engineer Tech: With additional training (often an associate's degree), you can move into design, programming, and troubleshooting robotic welding systems.
  3. Union Path: As a union welder, you can advance to a foreman or superintendent role on large projects, which comes with a significant pay bump and project bonuses.
  4. Business Owner: Many experienced welders in the area start their own fabrication shops, serving local contractors and small businesses. This is a high-risk, high-reward path.

• 10-Year Outlook: The demand will remain stable for general fabrication but will grow for specialists who can work with advanced materials (e.g., Inconel, titanium) for the life sciences and aerospace sectors. The shift toward automation means welders who can operate and maintain robotic welding cells will be in high demand. The 2% growth is for traditional roles; the growth for technicians who can bridge the gap between welding and robotics is likely much higher.

The Verdict: Is Somerville Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Above-National-Average Pay: $51,315 median is solid for the trade.	High Cost of Living: Rent and home prices are extreme.
Diverse, High-Value Industries: Access to biotech, medical, and aerospace work.	Competitive & Specialized Market: General welders have fewer options; you need certifications.
Strong Union Presence: Pipefitters and Ironworkers offer excellent pay and benefits.	Limited Job Volume: Only 160 metro jobs; you must be competitive.
Excellent Public Transit: Can reduce reliance on a car for many job sites.	Commuting Challenges: The region's traffic is notoriously bad if you drive.
Vibrant Urban Lifestyle: Access to culture, food, and amenities.	Weather: Harsh winters can impact outdoor work and commute.

Final Recommendation:
Somerville is a viable and rewarding destination for a welder who is already specialized or willing to invest in specialization. If you're a general welder looking for entry-level work, the high cost of living will be a severe struggle. However, if you have, or are willing to get, AWS certifications in TIG, structural, or pipe welding, you can build a stable, well-compensated career. The key is to view the location not just as a place to work, but as a career accelerator. The employers here demand the best, and they pay for it. For the right candidate—skilled, adaptable, and financially prepared—Somerville offers a challenging but potentially lucrative path.

FAQs

Q: I'm a recent trade school graduate. Can I find a job in Somerville?
A: It will be challenging. The market prefers experienced welders. Your best bet is to target entry-level positions at local machine shops in the suburbs (Billerica, Lowell, Woburn) or apply for apprenticeships with unions. Consider getting an AWS certification in the process you're strongest in (e.g., MIG) to make your resume stand out.

Q: Do I need a car to work as a welder in Somerville?
A: It depends on your job. If you work at a fixed shop in Somerville, Cambridge, or Charlestown, you can manage with public transit and a bike. However, if you work in construction or as a union welder dispatched to various sites (e.g., in Weymouth, Cambridge, or Lowell), a car is almost mandatory. Parking at your home will be a daily challenge.

Q: How do I join the pipefitters or ironworkers union?
A: Contact Local 537 (Pipefitters) or Local 7 (Ironworkers) directly. They hold periodic apprenticeship application periods. You'll need to take a aptitude test (often basic math and reading) and pass an interview. Being in good physical shape and having any relevant experience (even in a related trade) helps.

Q: Is the biotech industry a reliable source of welding jobs?
A: Yes, but indirectly. Biotech companies themselves rarely employ welders in-house. They rely on a network of certified fabrication contractors (like those in Charlestown or Woburn) to build their cleanrooms, bioreactors, and piping systems. Your target employers are the fabricators, not