Can A Welder Afford Rent in Salem, MA?
Rent-burdened — rent takes 55.2% of gross income.
Salem rent: June 2026. Salary: BLS OEWS May 2024 (Massachusetts state estimate).
About rent and a welder salary
Welder pay tracks the US median household income closely. Pipeline and underwater welders earn materially more. At the national-average welder salary, the 30% rule supports about $1,285 a month in rent.
Cheaper rent nearby
These Massachusetts cities have lower median rent than Salem, which improves the affordability math on a welder salary:
Compare with full rent data for Salem
View full rent data for Salem, MA →Frequently asked questions
Can a welder afford rent in Salem, MA?
Median rent in Salem is $2,742 a month. A typical welder in Massachusetts earns about $59,636 a year, which makes that rent 55.2% of gross monthly income. Under the 30% rule, the answer is no — rent exceeds the 30% threshold.
How much rent can a welder afford in Salem?
Using the 30% rule, a welder salary in Massachusetts (~$59,636/yr) supports up to $1,491 a month in rent. Salem's current median rent is $2,742/mo, which is $1,251/mo over the affordability threshold.
How many hours does a welder work to cover rent in Salem?
At an hourly equivalent of about $29 an hour, a welder in Massachusetts works roughly 95.6 hours a month to cover Salem's median rent of $2,742.
Where is rent cheaper than Salem for a welder?
Nearby Massachusetts cities with lower median rent include Westborough ($2,741/mo), Mansfield ($2,741/mo), Malden ($2,741/mo). Each shifts the affordability math materially on a welder salary.