Do welders need a license in Massachusetts?

No statewide license is required for welders in Massachusetts. Most employers expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW), and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification.

What apprenticeships are available for welders in Massachusetts?

In Massachusetts, registered apprenticeships are administered through the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training, which works with employers and trade union locals to register programs. See the apprenticeship section above for office contact details.

How to Become a Welder in Massachusetts (2026)

Q: How much do welders earn in Massachusetts?

According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), welders in Massachusetts earned a median annual wage of approximately $62,570. Employment concentration in Massachusetts is roughly 0.29 of the national average, meaning fewer workers per capita than the U.S. as a whole.

Q: What is the job outlook for welders in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts currently employs approximately 2,830 workers, and the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics projects 2.2% national employment change for this occupation from 2024 to 2034.

Updated June 8, 2026 | TradeCareerPath Editorial Team

Massachusetts welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers earn a median annual wage of $62,570 ($30.08/hr) according to U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS data (May 2025), with about 2,830 workers employed statewide. The state median is approximately 16.4% above the national median of $53,750 for the same occupation.

Key Takeaways

Median annual pay: $62,570 ($30.08/hr)
25th percentile: $53,680 per year
75th percentile: $74,050 per year
Top 10% earn: more than $83,430 per year
Entry-level (bottom 10%): under $47,720 per year
Workers employed in Massachusetts: 2,830
Versus national median: 16.4% above the U.S. median of $53,750
Job concentration: Location quotient 0.29 - this occupation is less concentrated in Massachusetts than the national average

Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025. Last reviewed June 8, 2026.

Massachusetts employs about 2,830 welders earning a median $62,570 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025). No statewide license is required; most welders train through a certificate program and earn an industry certification before employers will hire them.

Compare Welder Schools in Massachusetts

BOC Score, tuition, graduation rate, and median graduate earnings from federal IPEDS and U.S. Dept. of Education College Scorecard data. Tuition is the published annual figure for the latest reported year and excludes room, board, books and fees. Earnings are reported across all programs at the school (all majors), not a single trade. Distance is measured from the page's primary location.
#	School	BOC Score (0–100)	Tuition (published, per year)	Median grad earnings (all majors)	Graduation rate	Online	Distance
1	Modern Welding School	71.0	Contact school for pricing	$54,701	94%	—	148 mi
2	Hudson Valley Community College	62.7	$6,796 in-state / $11,852 out-of-state	$54,719	35%	Yes*	136 mi
Sponsored Ad
3	New England Institute of Technology	62.3	$37,275	$62,151	60%	Yes*	53 mi
4	Goodwin University	57.9	$21,198	$72,845	58%	Yes*	92 mi
Sponsored Ad
5	Manchester Community College	54.0	$7,090 in-state / $15,340 out-of-state	$44,863	41%	Yes*	50 mi
6	Connecticut State Community College	47.6	$5,338 in-state / $15,596 out-of-state	$50,130	24%	Yes*	92 mi
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7	Porter & Chester Institute	47.5	$14,349	$46,863	45%	Yes*	136 mi
8	Great Bay Community College	44.3	$7,200 in-state / $15,450 out-of-state	$54,407	34%	—	51 mi
Sponsored Ad
9	Lincoln Technical Institute-East Windsor	40.4	Contact school for pricing	$47,136	62%	—	84 mi
10	Technology Learning Center	Not rated	Contact school for pricing	Not reported	Not reported	—	46 mi
Sponsored Ad

Schools closest to the page's primary location are gathered first, then ranked by BOC Score; distance from the page's primary location is shown for reference. The BOC Score is an independent measure of school outcomes (graduation, earnings, net price, retention) expressed as a 0–100 percentile within each school's peer group; higher is better and advertising never affects it. *Online availability refers to coursework; hands-on trade training is completed in person. Read the full methodology.

Massachusetts employs approximately 2,830 welders according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $62,570 ¹. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034, with about 45,600 openings per year ². This page covers how to become a Welder in Massachusetts, including certification options, training programs, and salary data.

At a Glance

Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
Median wage (Massachusetts): $62,570 per year ¹

Quick Answers About How to Become a Welder in Massachusetts

How to become a Welder in Massachusetts? Massachusetts does not require a state license for welders, but employers typically expect industry certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification. Complete a training program to prepare.

How long does it take? Most paths into the welder field take 1 to 5 years, depending on whether you complete a trade school program, a registered apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

Do I need a license in Massachusetts? No state license is required, but certifications such as AWS Certified Welder (CW) and OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification are expected by most employers.

What do welders earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for welders in Massachusetts is $62,570 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $47,720 and experienced professionals can earn $83,430 or more ¹.

How to Become a Welder in Massachusetts

Finish high school or earn a GED. Most Massachusetts training programs and registered apprenticeships require a high school diploma or GED to enroll.
Complete a training program or apprenticeship. Enroll in an approved trade school program or a registered apprenticeship in Massachusetts that combines classroom instruction with supervised hands-on hours.
Gain supervised work experience. Build documented on-the-job hours under a qualified supervisor; confirm the exact total currently required with the licensing board.
Earn an industry certification. While Massachusetts does not require a statewide license, earn AWS Certified Welder (CW) to meet employer expectations and improve hiring prospects.

Steps and hour totals vary by credential level; confirm current requirements with the state board before you apply.

Welder Certification Options in Massachusetts

Massachusetts does not require a state license to work as a welder. However, industry certifications can strengthen your resume and may be required by employers.

Common certifications for welders include:

AWS Certified Welder (CW)
OSHA 10/30 Safety Certification

For more information, visit the American Welding Society (AWS) ³. Contact training programs in Massachusetts for details on certification preparation courses.

Welder Apprenticeship Information in Massachusetts

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Massachusetts’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training ⁴.

Contact Information:

Office: Division of Apprentice Training, Department of Workforce Development
Address: 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
Phone: (617) 626-5442
Email: [email protected]

Welder Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts

Welders, Cutters, Solderers, and Brazers Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics ( OES data), welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Metro Area	Employment	Median Annual Wage	Avg. Annual Wage	Entry Level (10th pctile)	Experienced (90th pctile)
Providence-Warwick	2,490	$52,800	$58,800	$35,580	$81,000
Boston-Cambridge-Newton	2,210	$63,770	$66,210	$49,030	$83,430
Worcester	330	$60,320	$62,500	$47,720	$81,400
Springfield	220	$56,010	$56,170	$40,290	$73,330

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May .

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for welders in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 2,830 welders ¹. Nationally, welder employment is projected to grow 2.2% from 2024 to 2034 ².

What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for programs in Massachusetts. You can also contact the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do welders earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for welders in Massachusetts is $62,570, which is $11,570 above the national median of $51,000 according to BLS data ¹.

In Massachusetts

Best Trade Schools in Massachusetts (2026)

Top local programs

Explore More Trades in Massachusetts

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References

Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
American Welding Society (AWS): https://www.aws.org/certification/ ↩︎
Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/01/oi/all-active-sponors.xlsx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

Data	Provider	Vintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	May 2025
Employment Projections	U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics	2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System	National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)	2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)	U.S. Department of Education	latest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirements	CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programs	CareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)	latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)	U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)	O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)