Welders Salary

Somerville vs Springfield: Welder Salary (2026)

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

Somerville, MA
$61,474
$29.55/hr
Springfield, MA
$58,245
$28.00/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSomerville, MASpringfield, MA
Median Salary$61,474$58,245
Hourly Rate$29.55$28.00
Entry Level (P10)$44,992$41,898
25th Percentile$53,139$49,780
75th Percentile$71,394$63,798
Top Earner (P90)$87,102$76,256
Total Employed20220
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Somerville ($61,474) and Springfield ($58,245) welder salaries.SomervilleSpringfieldMedian Salary$61,474$58,245Entry Level (P10)$44,992$41,898Top Earner (P90)$87,102$76,256US Median $55,895

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Somerville and Springfield is $3,229 (5.54%). Somerville's median is +9.98% compared to the US national median of $55,895.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Somerville spans $42,110,Springfield spans $34,358. Somerville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Somerville
P10 (Entry)$44,992
P25$53,139
Median$61,474
P75$71,394
P90 (Top)$87,102
Springfield
P10 (Entry)$41,898
P25$49,780
Median$58,245
P75$63,798
P90 (Top)$76,256

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Springfield ($60,633 effective) pays 7.02% more than Somerville ($56,658 effective).

Somerville
Nominal: $61,474
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $56,658
Springfield
Nominal: $58,245
CoL Index: 96.061
Adjusted: $60,633

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Somerville if…

  • Higher median salary ($61,474/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($87,102)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Springfield if…

  • Larger job market (220 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $60,633)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, welder salaries in Somerville grew -16.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 11.1% growth in Springfield over the same period.

Somerville, MA

+-16.0%

$70,387 (2024) → $59,115 (2025)

Springfield, MA

+11.1%

$50,420 (2019) → $56,010 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays welders more: Somerville or Springfield?

Somerville has a higher median welder salary at $61,474/year, compared to Springfield at $58,245/year — a difference of $3,229 (5.54%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Somerville and Springfield?

Somerville welders earn $29.55/hr while Springfield hygienists earn $28.00/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Somerville to Springfield as a welder?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Somerville and Springfield. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Somerville = $56,658, Springfield = $60,633), job availability (20 vs 220 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level welders earn in Somerville vs Springfield?

Entry-level (10th percentile) welders earn $44,992 in Somerville and $41,898 in Springfield. The Somerville 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