Welders Salary

Boston vs Brockton: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Boston, MA and Brockton, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Boston, MA
$66,314
$31.88/hr
Brockton, MA
$61,167
$29.41/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBoston, MABrockton, MA
Median Salary$66,314$61,167
Hourly Rate$31.88$29.41
Entry Level (P10)$50,986$41,465
25th Percentile$58,494$54,150
75th Percentile$79,136$73,577
Top Earner (P90)$86,759$91,485
Total Employed2,21025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Boston ($66,314) and Brockton ($61,167) welder salaries.BostonBrocktonMedian Salary$66,314$61,167Entry Level (P10)$50,986$41,465Top Earner (P90)$86,759$91,485US Median $55,895

Verdict

Boston, MA offers better overall compensation for welders, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Brockton.

The salary gap between Boston and Brockton is $5,147 (8.41%). Boston's median is +18.64% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Boston spans $35,773,Brockton spans $50,020. Brockton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Boston
P10 (Entry)$50,986
P25$58,494
Median$66,314
P75$79,136
P90 (Top)$86,759
Brockton
P10 (Entry)$41,465
P25$54,150
Median$61,167
P75$73,577
P90 (Top)$91,485

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Boston ($61,251 effective) pays 8.65% more than Brockton ($56,375 effective).

Boston
Nominal: $66,314
CoL Index: 108.266
Adjusted: $61,251
Brockton
Nominal: $61,167
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $56,375

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Boston if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,314/year)
  • Larger job market (2,210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $61,251)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Brockton if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($91,485)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Boston grew 17.7% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.0% growth in Brockton over the same period.

Boston, MA

+17.7%

$54,160 (2019) → $63,770 (2025)

Brockton, MA

+-16.0%

$70,036 (2024) → $58,820 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Boston or Brockton?

Boston has a higher median welder salary at $66,314/year, compared to Brockton at $61,167/year — a difference of $5,147 (8.41%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Boston and Brockton?

Boston welders earn $31.88/hr while Brockton hygienists earn $29.41/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Boston to Brockton as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Boston and Brockton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Boston = $61,251, Brockton = $56,375), job availability (2,210 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Boston vs Brockton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $50,986 in Boston and $41,465 in Brockton. The Boston area offers higher starting salaries.
JM

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.

Clinically reviewed by Priya Singh, CWIData verified by Liam O'Connor, Welding Instructor

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 3.99% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by James Mendoza, AWS Certified Welder, a licensed welder with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov