Welders Salary

Concord vs Merrimack: Welder Salary (2026)

Compare welder salaries between Concord, NH and Merrimack, NH. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Concord, NH
$57,150
$27.47/hr
Merrimack, NH
$58,453
$28.10/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricConcord, NHMerrimack, NH
Median Salary$57,150$58,453
Hourly Rate$27.47$28.10
Entry Level (P10)$43,921$42,200
25th Percentile$50,750$49,941
75th Percentile$67,174$66,844
Top Earner (P90)$81,508$80,092
Total Employed115
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Concord ($57,150) and Merrimack ($58,453) welder salaries.ConcordMerrimackMedian Salary$57,150$58,453Entry Level (P10)$43,921$42,200Top Earner (P90)$81,508$80,092US Median $55,895

Verdict

Concord and Merrimack are closely matched on overall welder compensation, each winning on different metrics.

The salary gap between Concord and Merrimack is $1,303 (2.28%). Merrimack's median is +4.58% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Concord spans $37,587,Merrimack spans $37,892. Merrimack has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced welders.

Concord
P10 (Entry)$43,921
P25$50,750
Median$57,150
P75$67,174
P90 (Top)$81,508
Merrimack
P10 (Entry)$42,200
P25$49,941
Median$58,453
P75$66,844
P90 (Top)$80,092

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Merrimack ($54,476 effective) pays 2.28% more than Concord ($53,262 effective).

Concord
Nominal: $57,150
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $53,262
Merrimack
Nominal: $58,453
CoL Index: 107.3
Adjusted: $54,476

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Concord if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($81,508)
  • Larger job market (11 employed)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Choose Merrimack if…

  • Higher median salary ($58,453/year)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $54,476)
  • You prefer the New Hampshire area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Concord grew -4.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -4.0% growth in Merrimack over the same period.

Concord, NH

+-4.0%

$57,257 (2024) → $54,957 (2025)

Merrimack, NH

+-4.0%

$58,563 (2024) → $56,210 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Concord or Merrimack?

Merrimack has a higher median welder salary at $58,453/year, compared to Concord at $57,150/year — a difference of $1,303 (2.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Concord and Merrimack?

Concord welders earn $27.47/hr while Merrimack hygienists earn $28.10/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Concord to Merrimack as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Concord and Merrimack. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Concord = $53,262, Merrimack = $54,476), job availability (11 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Concord vs Merrimack?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $43,921 in Concord and $42,200 in Merrimack. The Concord 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