Welder in New Hampshire: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

New Hampshire employs 1,110 welders, with a statewide median of $62,360 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact New Hampshire licensing picture, and where to train.

What Welders Earn in New Hampshire (May 2025)

New Hampshire median pay: $62,360 (May 2025)
Starting range (10th percentile): $47,540
Experienced (75th percentile): $74,420
Top earners (90th percentile): $80,290
Employed in New Hampshire: 1,110
U.S. median (for comparison): $49,990 (May 2024)

Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for welders in major New Hampshire markets:

Boston: $63,770 (2,210 employed)
Manchester: $58,510 (270 employed)

What That Pay Is Worth in New Hampshire

Prices in New Hampshire run about 4% above the national average (cost-of-living index 104.2 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $62,360 median is worth closer to $59,846 once higher local prices are factored in.

Job Outlook in New Hampshire (2024–2034)

New Hampshire is projected to grow welders employment +6.4%, faster than the +2.2% projected nationally. The state expects about 120 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.

New Hampshire License and Certification Requirements

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests — regulated by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven.

New Hampshire does not license welders.
Train at a community-college welding program or an apprenticeship.
Pass employer or AWS weld tests for the processes and codes you'll work (structural, pipe, etc.).

Official requirements: No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven →

Training in New Hampshire

Pipe and certified structural welders earn the most. New Hampshire's manufacturing and defense sectors drive demand; certs are per-process/per-code.

Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in New Hampshire include:

Great Bay Community College — Certificate
Manchester Community College — Certificate / Associate
NHTI-Concord's Community College — Certificate / Associate
Nashua Community College — Certificate / Associate

Is This the Right Move for You?

Best for: People who like focused, precise, independent work and want to enter a trade without a multi-year apprenticeship commitment.

Think twice if: Heat, fumes, UV exposure, protective gear all day, and physically demanding positions sound like dealbreakers.

Why it's resilient: Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

First Steps

Enroll in a welding certificate program at a community college or trade school — programs range from 6 months to 2 years.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do welders make in New Hampshire?

The median wage for welders in New Hampshire is $62,360 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $47,540, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $80,290. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.

What license or certification do you need to become a Welder in New Hampshire?

No state license; AWS Certified Welder / employer weld tests, overseen by the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven. New Hampshire does not license welders.

Is being a Welder a good career in New Hampshire?

Custom, field, and structural welding requires hands-on skill, real-world access, and quality judgment that automated welding cannot fully replicate.

Which New Hampshire metros pay welders the most?

Among New Hampshire metro areas, Boston leads at $63,770, followed by Manchester ($58,510). Local pay tracks regional demand and cost of living, so the highest-paying metro isn't always the best net move.

Where can I train to become a Welder in New Hampshire?

Real New Hampshire options include Great Bay Community College, Manchester Community College, NHTI-Concord's Community College. Most welders start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Welder a growing career in New Hampshire?

New Hampshire projects welders employment to change +6.4% from 2024 to 2034, with about 120 openings a year — a growing field in the state.

Sources and Verification

Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025), New Hampshire statewide and metro estimates for SOC 51-4121. Licensing summary compiled from the No license required — AWS certification is code/employer driven (2026-06-11). Requirements change — always confirm current rules with the board and verify program costs and outcomes before enrolling.

BLS Occupational Outlook · O*NET New Hampshire wages · New Hampshire licensing/certification source

Employment projections: Projections Central / BLS Employment Projections (2024–2034); Cost of living: BEA Regional Price Parities.

Pay percentiles describe current workers, not entry-level offers; training costs and local demand vary, so verify locally before committing money or quitting a job.