Welder Salary in Chelmsford, MA: $57,648 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time welder in Chelmsford, MA earns a median $57,648/year (≈ $27.71/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 51-4121). Once you factor in Chelmsford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $53,132 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, welders in Chelmsford, Massachusetts can expect a median annual salary of $57,648, slightly above the national median of $55,895 for welders. The salary range in this area stretches from $43,832 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $81,950 at the 90th percentile. Projections are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parity and local economic conditions. In Chelmsford, pipe welders typically earn more than structural or production welders, reflecting the specialized skills required for pipeline work. This city’s welding job market largely favors those with advanced certifications, such as the 6G pipe certification, positioning them to command higher pay.
About the Chelmsford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,832 | $21.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,024 | $24.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,648 | $27.71 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,597 | $32.50 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,950 | $39.40 |
Median Salary Position
3.14% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chelmsford
In Chelmsford, MA, the welder salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,118 (2026 est.). At $57,648, the local median is 3.14% above the national median of $55,895.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chelmsford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chelmsford Welder Pay Compares
Chelmsford median: $57,648/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chelmsford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $60,618 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $55,895 | +3.14% more |
Welders in Chelmsford, MA earn a median of $57,648 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.14% higher than the national median of $55,895 and 4.90% below the Massachusetts state average of $60,618.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chelmsford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chelmsford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $57,648 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $53,132 — a 7.83% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$43,823
2025 BLS Actual
$55,436
2026 Current Est.
$57,648
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in Chelmsford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $43,823 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,576 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,485 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,031 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,475 | Actual |
| 2024 | $66,007 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,436 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,648 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,948 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chelmsford metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 26.5% from $43,823 (2019) to $55,436 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,948 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,125 (36.80%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chelmsford metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 3.99% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $43,832 – $51,024 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,024 – $57,648 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,648 – $67,597 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,597 – $81,950 |
WLD salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual welder compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Welder Job Market in Chelmsford
Looking at the local job market, only eight welders are employed in Chelmsford, indicating a tight labor pool that successively pressures wages. With a cost-of-living index at 108.5, the higher living expenses in this area have a measurable impact on take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers that tend to pay the most include those in the oil and gas sector, particularly for pipeline work, as well as companies involved in aerospace and nuclear projects. The wage spread reflects several factors: the level of certification—where 6G pipe welders significantly outpace others—specialty areas like underwater or nuclear, and the nature of work, whether local or traveling, which often includes per-diem benefits. To maximize pay in Chelmsford, welders should focus on obtaining high-level certifications and consider opportunities in high-demand sectors, leveraging skills that set them apart in a competitive market.
More salary data for Chelmsford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder
Career Analyst
James has over 10 years of experience in welding. He specializes in MIG and TIG welding. He has worked in various manufacturing settings.
Methodology & Data Source
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $55,436 for weldersin the Chelmsford metropolitan area. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Chelmsford is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.99%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for welders (SOC 51-4121).
Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov