City Town Info

New Bedford Employment

Employment and Industries in the New Bedford, Massachusetts Area

Fishing and manufacturing are still major contributors to New Bedford's economy. The healthcare industry is also a major economic element and a top employer. Three of New Bedford's major employers are Southcoast Hospitals Group, (healthcare), Riverside Manufacturing (apparel) and Titleist (golf clubs, balls and apparel). Due to fairs, festivals and the historic whaling industry, New Bedford also has a notable tourism industry.

The city's largest employment sectors are healthcare, wholesale trade, manufacturing, education, accommodation and food services, and social services. About 22% of the workers in New Bedford are employed in service occupations. Sales and office workers comprise about 21% of the labor force.

New Bedford's major employers are:

  • Southcoast Hospitals Group
  • Titleist
  • Riverside Manufacturing
  • Acushnet Company
  • Joseph Abboud Manufacturing Corp
  • Aerovox Incorporated
  • Friendly Fruit, Inc
  • Friendly Food, Inc
  • Ahead, Inc
  • AFC Cable Systems, Inc
  • Tremblay's Bus Co LLC
  • High Point Treatment Center, Inc
  • Chamberlain Manufacturing Corporation
  • Brittany Dyeing and Printing Corp
  • The Stop & Shop Supermarket Company LLC
  • Ottaway Newspapers, Inc
  • Symmetry Medical Inc
  • New Bedford Rehabilitation Hospital, LLC
  • Aerovox Corp
  • Ahead, Inc
  • Imtra Corporation
  • GEC Durham Industries
  • Pier Fish Co., Inc

Some of the occupations where the majority of the workers have a college degree are registered nurses, teachers, social and human service assistants, wholesale and manufacturing sales representatives, medical and public health social workers; child, family and school social workers; financial managers; medical and health services managers; and social and community service managers.

Pertinent information about New Bedford, Massachusetts: In 2008 the cost of living index was at 130.9 which is high when compared to the national average of 100. Approximately 11% of the adult population has achieved a bachelor's degree or higher. In 2009 the average salary in New Bedford was $34,000.

New Bedford companies are invited to work in partnership with helpful organizations such as:

People interested in learning about the activities of local businesses and industries can visit SouthCoastToday.com.

Most Popular Jobs in New Bedford, Massachusetts Metro Area (2008 data)

Where the Majority of Workers Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Registered nurses1,56065,030$44,680 - 85,89024%56%
2Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education1,08057,620$35,970 - 80,50011%95%
3Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education90056,780$26,210 - 81,3706%96%
4Elementary school teachers, except special education82053,320$24,200 - 78,02014%95%
5Social and human service assistants53027,760$20,250 - 40,38034%58%
6Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products38068,920$37,820 - 106,5008%51%
7Mental health and substance abuse social workers35042,190$27,070 - 62,79030%77%
8Accountants and auditors30065,310$32,270 - 91,14018%79%
9Chief executives230126,360$44,680 - 2%65%
10Medical and public health social workers22045,170$27,900 - 78,34024%77%
11Child, family, and school social workers22052,310$36,600 - 65,00019%77%
12Financial managers18085,100$43,690 - 132,98013%60%
13Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school18063,640$41,640 - 83,45020%87%
14Education administrators, elementary and secondary school17085,660$61,600 - 108,4608%78%
15Medical and health services managers16085,050$52,890 - 120,93016%57%
16Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products15096,750$38,000 - 12%51%
17Special education teachers, middle school14058,440$39,060 - 80,15016%87%
18Lawyers14098,950$42,900 - 11%99%
19Special education teachers, secondary school14062,970$41,660 - 82,4209%87%
20Social and community service managers12053,160$25,650 - 81,04025%72%
21Physical therapists12075,880$59,260 - 96,70027%89%
22Sales managers110143,410$71,610 - 10%69%
23Human resources, training, and labor relations specialists, all other10051,940$19,660 - 81,61017%56%
24Pharmacists100103,990$88,970 - 125,42022%97%
25Medical and clinical laboratory technologists10041,380$26,010 - 62,99012%51%
26Industrial engineers10078,580$53,010 - 115,71020%74%
27Mental health counselors9038,060$22,200 - 71,95030%73%
28Self-enrichment education teachers9037,300$21,920 - 51,35023%54%
29Civil engineers9073,790$45,500 - 102,40018%87%
30Public relations specialists9052,560$33,270 - 78,64018%81%
31Coaches and scouts9024,650$16,660 - 50,78015%60%
32Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists8066,970$56,110 - 86,34016%99%
33Mechanical engineers8080,680$58,910 - 102,9504%78%
34Librarians7063,150$42,950 - 97,6704%85%
35Network and computer systems administrators7072,510$46,460 - 104,51027%50%
36Educational, vocational, and school counselors7064,040$43,840 - 83,65013%73%
37Occupational therapists6073,010$53,850 - 101,28023%90%
38Education administrators, preschool and child care center/program6041,500$28,840 - 63,31024%78%
39Market research analysts6049,010$23,910 - 83,96020%82%
40Speech-language pathologists6077,870$52,220 - 122,76011%98%
41Adult literacy, remedial education, and GED teachers and instructors6055,590$35,440 - 66,55014%54%
42Health educators5039,200$22,860 - 59,05026%58%
43Management analysts5061,320$29,710 - 88,11022%78%
44Graphic designers5040,810$28,320 - 59,84010%55%
45Dentists, general50189,500$102,500 - 9%100%
46Physician assistants5099,020$69,530 - 151,15027%67%
47Sales engineers4083,060$50,280 - 103,5409%79%
48Instructional coordinators4060,940$31,920 - 85,93023%79%
49Rehabilitation counselors4043,500$25,110 - 72,09023%73%
50Computer and information systems managers4096,310$60,570 - 137,09016%73%
51Computer software engineers, applications4076,290$54,920 - 106,00045%85%
52Marketing managers40111,010$55,950 - 158,13014%69%
53Compensation, benefits, and job analysis specialists4050,140$28,490 - 74,56018%56%
54Training and development specialists4046,920$30,440 - 70,19018%56%
55Advertising sales agents4052,520$21,240 - 128,93020%56%
56Editors4065,180$36,020 - 104,6502%81%
57Engineering managers40107,660$79,000 - 153,7607%84%
58Computer systems analysts3080,110$59,820 - 103,65029%68%
59Conservation scientists3044,960$30,000 - 61,8305%86%

Where the Majority of Workers Do Not Have College Degrees

RankTitleLocal JobsLocal Mean SalaryTypical Local SalaryNational Growth % 2006-2016National % With College Degree
1Retail salespersons2,41023,030$16,640 - 32,14012%25%
2Cashiers2,18019,540$16,640 - 23,830-2%10%
3Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food1,75019,840$16,890 - 24,62018%5%
4Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand1,71022,610$17,490 - 31,4702%5%
5Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants1,54024,940$19,230 - 32,04018%7%
6Office clerks, general1,32029,200$18,480 - 41,99013%19%
7Waiters and waitresses1,21022,350$16,640 - 30,78011%14%
8Stock clerks and order fillers97027,010$16,640 - 43,380-7%8%
9Bookkeeping, accounting, and auditing clerks96032,230$19,960 - 47,16013%16%
10Sewing machine operators85025,660$16,640 - 34,520-26%5%
11Customer service representatives76030,660$21,040 - 43,04025%22%
12Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer76041,610$31,310 - 52,92010%4%
13First-line supervisors/managers of office and administrative support workers74045,360$28,470 - 66,1406%29%
14First-line supervisors/managers of retail sales workers67040,710$21,900 - 63,1304%25%
15Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners67027,820$17,810 - 40,38015%4%
16General and operations managers65097,070$43,460 - 2%48%
17Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses65047,300$33,460 - 62,95014%7%
18Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive64033,130$21,960 - 48,2501%18%
19Carpenters58047,540$31,740 - 65,75010%6%
20Truck drivers, light or delivery services58028,380$18,470 - 40,4608%4%
21Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks57027,000$18,160 - 38,9504%6%
22Teacher assistants55022,570$17,090 - 31,29010%18%
23Team assemblers54033,080$20,430 - 49,5900%5%
24Maintenance and repair workers, general54036,760$23,210 - 50,38010%6%
25Executive secretaries and administrative assistants50040,560$24,500 - 58,32015%18%
26Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop50018,920$16,690 - 22,81010%8%
27Cooks, restaurant49025,220$18,040 - 32,73012%5%
28Packers and packagers, hand47022,130$16,640 - 29,650-11%3%
29First-line supervisors/managers of food preparation and serving workers46031,910$21,290 - 50,74011%14%
30Food preparation workers44021,330$16,750 - 29,38015%7%
31Preschool teachers, except special education42022,790$17,650 - 29,76026%43%
32Bartenders42021,620$16,640 - 29,94011%17%
33First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers42049,860$28,550 - 69,430-4%15%
34Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers41026,060$16,640 - 38,870-6%14%
35Bus drivers, school40024,950$16,640 - 38,2009%4%
36Fire fighters39042,300$34,760 - 52,42012%18%
37Medical secretaries38030,870$24,460 - 41,72017%18%
38Tellers37025,300$19,210 - 32,38014%16%
39Construction laborers37042,870$19,510 - 64,74011%5%
40Receptionists and information clerks35025,080$17,720 - 32,66017%13%
41Police and sheriff's patrol officers34057,110$37,840 - 78,47011%33%
42Medical assistants32030,860$22,040 - 43,65035%10%
43Automotive service technicians and mechanics31034,890$18,850 - 53,39014%4%
44Dishwashers31018,660$16,690 - 20,92010%3%
45Maids and housekeeping cleaners31021,190$16,930 - 26,63013%5%
46Counter and rental clerks30026,790$16,640 - 36,48023%16%
47Landscaping and groundskeeping workers26025,370$19,440 - 33,83018%6%
48Machinists26039,050$23,050 - 53,560-2%3%
49Laundry and dry-cleaning workers25019,630$16,640 - 23,73010%5%
50Child care workers25021,050$17,270 - 25,43018%15%
51Billing and posting clerks and machine operators25032,060$22,790 - 43,2104%15%
52Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic24028,460$22,520 - 34,700-12%0%
53Postal service mail carriers220 1%11%
54First-line supervisors/managers of mechanics, installers, and repairers21054,620$32,140 - 86,1507%13%
55Home health aides21025,920$20,970 - 32,11049%7%
56Hairdressers, hairstylists, and cosmetologists210 12%6%
57First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers20073,480$43,350 - 122,6709%10%
58Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers20020,480$16,670 - 28,24012%6%
59Driver/sales workers20037,060$16,640 - 56,530-4%4%
60Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers20023,030$16,640 - 31,87011%2%
61Pharmacy technicians20026,290$20,350 - 32,30032%16%
62Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers19025,720$18,010 - 37,940-26%6%
63Dental hygienists19067,950$54,910 - 90,31030%33%
64Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials19025,060$17,770 - 31,200-3%3%
65Industrial truck and tractor operators19030,070$20,670 - 39,780-1%2%
66Assemblers and fabricators, all other19018,760$16,640 - 24,770-8%5%
67Cost estimators18063,540$18,990 - 116,97019%32%
68Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic18041,720$24,210 - 61,600-2%6%
69Welders, cutters, solderers, and brazers18038,150$20,350 - 59,7405%2%
70Security guards17025,190$17,470 - 35,96017%13%
71Medical records and health information technicians16028,740$21,030 - 39,78018%12%
72Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters15037,520$18,590 - 59,69011%3%
73Cooks, institution and cafeteria15027,930$20,270 - 38,29011%5%
74Insurance sales agents15044,360$23,710 - 76,79013%45%
75Dental assistants14031,700$18,260 - 41,74029%9%
76Electricians14050,790$35,040 - 68,3107%7%
77Sales representatives, services, all other14045,770$26,640 - 75,84028%48%
78Legal secretaries14035,550$28,180 - 43,05012%18%
79Kindergarten teachers, except special education13051,590$34,400 - 69,87016%43%
80Packaging and filling machine operators and tenders13028,200$17,680 - 44,930-4%5%
81Taxi drivers and chauffeurs13022,890$19,660 - 26,08013%15%
82Brickmasons and blockmasons13062,310$28,570 - 100,02010%3%
83Business operations specialists, all other13048,390$23,720 - 81,68021%49%
84Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop13022,590$17,500 - 27,51010%17%
85Computer support specialists13046,760$28,600 - 68,26013%43%
86Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic13033,850$26,750 - 47,4301%10%
87Recreation workers13022,310$17,040 - 30,16013%47%
88Graders and sorters, agricultural products12019,530$16,640 - 23,520-1%0%
89Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators12053,350$32,800 - 76,7908%3%
90Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products11055,480$28,870 - 81,1100%36%
91First-line supervisors/managers of transportation and material-moving machine and vehicle operators11047,240$21,370 - 81,15010%17%
92First-line supervisors/managers of helpers, laborers, and material movers, hand11043,680$27,410 - 63,13013%17%
93Motorboat mechanics11040,840$27,500 - 52,42019%5%
94Radiologic technologists and technicians11059,090$40,920 - 80,39015%25%
95Insurance claims and policy processing clerks11035,380$26,290 - 46,6200%22%
96Personal and home care aides11026,460$21,450 - 32,79051%10%
97Emergency medical technicians and paramedics11035,080$24,260 - 46,65019%14%
98Farmworkers and laborers, crop, nursery, and greenhouse10023,320$17,470 - 30,700-2%4%
99Cleaners of vehicles and equipment10025,510$17,730 - 35,42014%3%
100Industrial machinery mechanics10040,350$29,590 - 51,7309%5%
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Jobs More Common Near New Bedford Than Most Other Cities

* Average job popularity for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal JobsPop. vs. Avg.*
Motorboat mechanics40,84011028.2
Sewing machine operators25,66085014.9
Graders and sorters, agricultural products19,53012014.4
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic33,85013011
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials25,0601907.7
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters37,5201507.6
Meat, poultry, and fish cutters and trimmers23,0302007
Mental health and substance abuse social workers42,1903506.8
Molding, coremaking, and casting machine setters, operators, and tenders, metal and plastic28,4602404.8
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education57,6201,0804
Social and human service assistants27,7605303.9
Medical and public health social workers45,1702203.8
Fire fighters42,3003903.6
Special education teachers, middle school58,4401403.5
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic41,7201803.5
Brickmasons and blockmasons62,3101303
Laundry and dry-cleaning workers19,6302502.7
Nursing aides, orderlies, and attendants24,9401,5402.6
Special education teachers, secondary school62,9701402.5
Dental hygienists67,9501902.5
Preschool teachers, except special education22,7904202.4
Social and community service managers53,1601202.4
Bus drivers, school24,9504002.3
Helpers--electricians27,3501002.2
Medical records and health information technicians28,7401602.2
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses47,3006502.2
Counter attendants, cafeteria, food concession, and coffee shop18,9205002.2
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education56,7809002.2
Electrical and electronic equipment assemblers25,7201902.1
Inspectors, testers, sorters, samplers, and weighers26,0604102.1
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school63,6401802
Child, family, and school social workers52,3102201.9
Bartenders21,6204201.9
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school85,6601701.9
Kindergarten teachers, except special education51,5901301.9
Medical secretaries30,8703801.9
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products55,4801101.8
Chief executives126,3602301.8
Cost estimators63,5401801.8
Taxi drivers and chauffeurs22,8901301.8
Assemblers and fabricators, all other18,7601901.8
Laborers and freight, stock, and material movers, hand22,6101,7101.7
Shipping, receiving, and traffic clerks27,0005701.7
Physical therapists75,8801201.6
First-line supervisors/managers of production and operating workers49,8604201.6
Machinists39,0502601.6
Counter and rental clerks26,7903001.5
Carpenters47,5405801.5
Medical assistants30,8603201.5
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics35,0801101.5

Work Paying Relatively Well in the New Bedford, Massachusetts Metro Area (2008 data)

* Average Salary Index for metro areas = 1.0

TitleMean Local SalarySalary Index *Local Jobs
Sales managers143,4101.46110
Driver/sales workers37,0601.42200
Construction laborers42,8701.38370
Brickmasons and blockmasons62,3101.37130
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products96,7501.33150
Personal and home care aides26,4601.33110
Child, family, and school social workers52,3101.29220
Hosts and hostesses, restaurant, lounge, and coffee shop22,5901.27130
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school63,6401.27180
Helpers--brickmasons, blockmasons, stonemasons, and tile and marble setters37,5201.27150
Pressers, textile, garment, and related materials25,0601.27190
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers73,4801.26200
Operating engineers and other construction equipment operators53,3501.25120
Special education teachers, secondary school62,9701.22140
Home health aides25,9201.22210
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products68,9201.22380
Janitors and cleaners, except maids and housekeeping cleaners27,8201.21670
Carpenters47,5401.21580
Team assemblers33,0801.21540
Computer-controlled machine tool operators, metal and plastic41,7201.2180
Licensed practical and licensed vocational nurses47,3001.2650
Waiters and waitresses22,3501.191,210
Stock clerks and order fillers27,0101.18970
Cooks, institution and cafeteria27,9301.18150
Police and sheriff's patrol officers57,1101.18340
Dining room and cafeteria attendants and bartender helpers20,4801.18200
Cooks, restaurant25,2201.16490
Molders, shapers, and casters, except metal and plastic33,8501.16130
Radiologic technologists and technicians59,0901.16110
Combined food preparation and serving workers, including fast food19,8401.151,750
Counter and rental clerks26,7901.15300
Office clerks, general29,2001.151,320
Special education teachers, middle school58,4401.15140
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education57,6201.141,080
Sewing machine operators25,6601.14850
Secretaries, except legal, medical, and executive33,1301.14640
Cost estimators63,5401.13180
Emergency medical technicians and paramedics35,0801.12110
Bartenders21,6201.11420
Computer support specialists46,7601.11130
Secondary school teachers, except special and vocational education56,7801.11900
Food preparation workers21,3301.11440
Truck drivers, heavy and tractor-trailer41,6101.11760
Maids and housekeeping cleaners21,1901.11310
Medical assistants30,8601.1320
Accountants and auditors65,3101.09300
Wholesale and retail buyers, except farm products55,4801.09110
Child care workers21,0501.09250
Kindergarten teachers, except special education51,5901.09130
Packers and packagers, hand22,1301.09470

Highest Paying Jobs in New Bedford, Massachusetts Metro Area (2008 data)

TitleMean Local SalaryLocal Jobs
Family and general practitioners202,210 
Dentists, general189,50050
Physicians and surgeons, all other163,13070
Sales managers143,410110
Chief executives126,360230
Marketing managers111,01040
Construction managers110,33030
Engineering managers107,66040
Pharmacists103,990100
Physician assistants99,02050
Lawyers98,950140
General and operations managers97,070650
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, technical and scientific products96,750150
Computer and information systems managers96,31040
Industrial production managers91,43080
First-line supervisors/managers of police and detectives89,98040
Education administrators, elementary and secondary school85,660170
Financial managers85,100180
Medical and health services managers85,050160
Sales engineers83,06040
Mechanical engineers80,68080
Computer systems analysts80,11030
Industrial engineers78,580100
Speech-language pathologists77,87060
Computer software engineers, applications76,29040
Physical therapists75,880120
Civil engineers73,79090
First-line supervisors/managers of construction trades and extraction workers73,480200
Occupational therapists73,01060
Network and computer systems administrators72,51070
First-line supervisors/managers of non-retail sales workers69,220100
Sales representatives, wholesale and manufacturing, except technical and scientific products68,920380
Administrative services managers68,04090
Dental hygienists67,950190
Clinical, counseling, and school psychologists66,97080
Accountants and auditors65,310300
Editors65,18040
Registered nurses65,0301,560
Educational, vocational, and school counselors64,04070
Special education teachers, preschool, kindergarten, and elementary school63,640180
Cost estimators63,540180
Librarians63,15070
Special education teachers, secondary school62,970140
Brickmasons and blockmasons62,310130
Management analysts61,32050
Instructional coordinators60,94040
Food service managers59,82060
Radiologic technologists and technicians59,090110
Special education teachers, middle school58,440140
Middle school teachers, except special and vocational education57,6201,080

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