Massachusetts is home to a manufacturing industry that generates over $53 billion in revenue. There are many professionals supporting this industry and generating this revenue, but welders are one of the most important. If you want to become a welder in Massachusetts, you can do so by obtaining your certification and completing a welding school program. Learn about Massachusetts welding schools, jobs, certificates and more.
What Does a Welder Do?
A welder’s job can look different from day to day, but responsibilities typically include tasks associated with the metal fabrication process — cutting, sizing, and joining metal pieces. The job demands much more than technical ability, though. Welders must also be able to analyze plans and understand blueprints in order to do their job effectively. In addition to jobs in manufacturing plans, Massachusetts welders often work in construction, shipbuilding, and transportation.
Welding Schools Near Me in Massachusetts
Aspiring Massachusetts welders can master the skills of the trade and work towards certification by enrolling in a welding school program.
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School
Montachusett Regional Vocational Technical School offers one of the few dedicated welding programs in Massachusetts.
- Location: Fitchburg, MA
- Phone number: (978) 345-9200
- Programs available: American Welding Society certification
- Program duration: Four years
- Average cost: Estimated cost is $11,878 or $8,500 after scholarships and grants
Welding Career Opportunities in Massachusetts
The booming manufacturing industry in Massachusetts is unsurprisingly one of the biggest sources of employment for welders in the state. It should be noted, though, that the state offers another unique source of welding jobs — shipbuilding. Indeed, Massachusetts’ coastal location opens up a world of maritime employment opportunities, including repairing, building, and maintaining vessels.
How Much Do Welders Make in Massachusetts?
The median hourly wage for a welder in the U.S. is $22.60 according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, or $47,010 per year. Massachusetts welder wages may be even higher, though, with information from Indeed indicating that salaries can range from $53,800 to $68,200 per year.
Major Employers of Welders in Massachusetts
The manufacturing giants of Massachusetts employ many welders. The state’s top companies that hire welding professionals include the following:
- Lawton Welding Co., Inc.: Welders needed for fabricating various metal parts, average pay of $22.50 per hour
- Nova Biomedical: Welders needed to maintain machinery in biomedical manufacturing plant, pay starts at $22.70 per hour
- Siemens: Welders needed for manufacturing machinery, average pay is $20.86 per hour
How to Become a Certified Welder in Massachusetts
The American Welding Society offers certification programs to welders in Massachusetts and throughout the U.S. The entry-level Certified Welder Program equips beginning welders to learn the essential tenets of the field and complete a professional examination proving their knowledge. The American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME) also offers certification to general industrial professionals.
Do You Need a License to Be a Welder in Massachusetts?
The state of Massachusetts requires that welders be certified by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation if they are seeking work that involves highway projects or bridges. MassDOT Welder Certification is not typically required, though, for other welding positions.
Massachusetts Welding FAQs
- How long does it take to become a welder?
Becoming a Massachusetts welder can take a few months or a few years. If you follow the most common path — enrolling in a training program — you can expect to complete your training in a year or two. This is typically the amount of time it takes to gain experience as a welder.
- Does a welder need insurance in Massachusetts?
You don’t need to carry insurance coverage if you are an individual welder who works for an employer. If you were to establish your own business, though, and hire employees of your own, then you may need to invest in coverage such as liability and workers’ compensation insurance. You can easily request a free commercial insurance quote from our partners using the tool below.
- Who can I contact if I have questions?
It’s important to take advantage of support and resources as you launch your welding career in Massachusetts. Unions are a great source of support, and organizations such as the Ironworkers Local 7 serve professionals throughout Massachusetts. Call (617) 268-4777 to reach the Union Hall location.
For More License and Career Guides
To find out how to become a Welder in another state, start here.
For information on other trades in Massachusetts , click on a link below to learn more about the licensing requirements:
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