ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

Welder Salary
in Worcester, MA

Join metal parts using heat and pressure in manufacturing, construction, and repair. Median salary in Worcester: $56K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$56K
per year
Take-home: $37K

Salary range in Worcester

Entry level (25th)$43,000
Median (50th)$56,000
Senior (75th)$72,000
Top earner (90th)$92,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Worcester, Massachusetts. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Worcester

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

12% premium vs national median

Welders in Worcester earn approximately 12% higher than the US national median for this role — a $6,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Worcester's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Worcester's cost-of-living index (120), the median Welder salary buys the equivalent of $46,667 in a US-average-cost city. That's $3,333 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 59% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Worcester ($1,800/mo) consumes approximately 59% of an after-tax median Welder salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($72K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Worcester

Median salary
$56K
annual
Take-home pay
$37K
after fed/state tax
COL index
120
100 = US avg
State income tax
5%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$1,800
per month
YoY growth
+3.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Worcester Welder to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $56K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Worcester

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Welder salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$47K$51K$55K$59K$63K201920212023202520272029
2026
$57K
projected
2027
$59K
projected
2028
$60K
projected
2029
$62K
projected
2030
$63K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$56,000+$0
2028 projected$56,000+$0
2029 projected$56,000+$0
2030 projected$56,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Welder Salary in Worcester, Massachusetts: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Welder salary in Worcester, MA is $56,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Worcester–MA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Welder in Worcester

Entry-level Welders in Worcester with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $43,000 and $56,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $56,000 to $72,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $72,000 to $92,000 or more.

Cost of living in Worcester for Welders

Worcester has a cost of living index of 120 compared to the US national average of 100. Worcester's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Massachusetts has a 5% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Welder

Trade school or apprenticeship; AWS certifications. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Welder salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Worcester (current)$56K120
Boston$64K162
Springfield$53K105
Cambridge$93K185
Lowell$59K118