Welder Salary in New Hampshire: $60,141 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across New Hampshire's 16 metropolitan areas, the average median welder pay sits at $60,141/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 51-4121. Because New Hampshire sits at BEA RPP 107.3 (7% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $56,049 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Nashua ($58,924), Manchester ($58,510), Salem ($56,282).
In 2026, the average median salary for welders in New Hampshire is projected to be $60,142, which is 7.6% higher than the national median of $55,895. The highest paying city is Nashua at $61,275, while the lowest is Bedford at $56,487, resulting in a salary gap of $4,788. This difference can be attributed to local demand for specialized welding skills, industrial growth in certain regions, and the cost of living variations. New Hampshire has specific licensing requirements that welders must meet, including a certification process which can affect job prospects and salary levels. The demand for welders is driven by ongoing infrastructure projects, manufacturing needs, and a strong construction industry, contributing to a projected annual compound growth rate of 3.99% for this profession. With a total of 375 employed welders across 16 metro areas, cities like Manchester and Salem offer competitive salaries of $60,845 and $58,528 respectively. The healthy job market and growth in related industries signal steady opportunities for skilled welders throughout the state.
New Hampshire Welder Salary Range
Overall salary range in New Hampshire: $41,628 (lowest entry-level) to $86,840 (highest top earner)
New Hampshire vs National Average
New Hampshire welders earn 7.60% more than the national median (+$4,246/year difference).
New Hampshire Welder Salary Distribution (2026)
Welder salaries in New Hampshire range from $47,438 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,036 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $60,141. The New Hampshire median is $4,246 above the US national median of $55,895. The average hourly rate is $28.91/hr. Approximately 375 welders are employed across 16 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,732
2025 BLS Actual
$57,834
2026 Current Est.
$60,141
2019–2027 Growth
+14.3%
Salary Trajectory for Welders in New Hampshire (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 3.99% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,732 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,492 | Actual |
| 2021 | $54,513 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,256 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,562 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,282 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,834 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,141 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,541 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Hampshire metropolitan area, the median welder salary grew 5.7% from $54,732 (2019) to $57,834 (2025). At a 3.99% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,541 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,809 (14.27%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Hampshire 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Lowest Paying Cities in New Hampshire
Best Value Cities for Welders in New Hampshire
When adjusted for local cost of living, these New Hampshire cities offer the most purchasing power for welders.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Manchester | $60,845 | 105.657 | $57,587 |
| Nashua | $61,275 | 107.3 | $57,106 |
| Salem | $58,528 | 107.3 | $54,546 |
| Merrimack | $58,453 | 107.3 | $54,476 |
| Dover | $57,992 | 107.3 | $54,047 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in New Hampshire
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $47,438 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $60,141 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,036 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across New Hampshire metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 16 Cities in New Hampshire
More New Hampshire Salary Data
Explore More Welder Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do welders make in New Hampshire in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for welders in New Hampshire?
How does New Hampshire welder pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level welder salary in New Hampshire?
How many welders are employed in New Hampshire?
Which New Hampshire city offers the best value for welders?
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
Statewide 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. A 3.99% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 welder compensation across New Hampshire. State averages are employment-weighted across 16 metro areas — larger metro areas with more welderscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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