Pipefitter in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start
Skilled trades
Massachusetts employs 13,460 pipefitters, with a statewide median of $93,880 and wide variation by city and experience. Here is the real wage data, the exact Massachusetts licensing picture, and where to train.
What Pipefitters Earn in Massachusetts (May 2025)
- Massachusetts median pay
- $93,880 (May 2025)
- Starting range (10th percentile)
- $52,010
- Experienced (75th percentile)
- $108,430
- Top earners (90th percentile)
- $135,080
- Employed in Massachusetts
- 13,460
- U.S. median (for comparison)
- $62,970 (May 2024)
Wages vary substantially by metro. Median annual pay for pipefitters in major Massachusetts markets:
- Boston
- $96,760 (9,200 employed)
- Springfield
- $92,080 (670 employed)
- Worcester
- $82,260 (1,370 employed)
- Providence
- $79,820 (3,000 employed)
- Cape Cod
- $76,270 (640 employed)
What That Pay Is Worth in Massachusetts
Prices in Massachusetts run about 6% above the national average (cost-of-living index 105.8 vs a U.S. baseline of 100, 2024), so the $93,880 median is worth closer to $88,733 once higher local prices are factored in.
Job Outlook in Massachusetts (2024–2034)
Massachusetts is projected to grow pipefitters employment +6.5%, faster than the +4.5% projected nationally. The state expects about 1,500 openings a year, counting both growth and workers who retire or move on.
Massachusetts License and Certification Requirements
UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required) — regulated by the No Massachusetts state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential).
- Massachusetts does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA (United Association) apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.
- Complete UA apprenticeship training in pipe fabrication, steam systems, process piping (ASME B31.3), and OSHA 30 safety. AWS welding qualifications earned during apprenticeship.
- Apply through UA Local 537 (Boston) for apprenticeship. Massachusetts' large pharmaceutical manufacturing campus network, academic hospital steam systems, biotech construction, and power generation are major pipefitter employers.
Training in Massachusetts
UA Local 537 (Boston) covers one of the strongest pipefitter markets in the country — Boston's hospital construction boom, Cambridge biotech/pharma campus construction, and large industrial base create consistent demand. Massachusetts pipefitters are among the highest-paid in the country. Pharmaceutical GMP (Good Manufacturing Practice) piping experience commands significant wage premiums.
Real training providers and registered apprenticeships in Massachusetts include:
- Southeastern Technical Institute — Certificate
Is This the Right Move for You?
Best for: People who want strong union wages and enjoy precision mechanical work in industrial or commercial settings.
Think twice if: Industrial job sites, confined spaces, and working with high-pressure systems sound dangerous rather than interesting.
Why it's resilient: Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.
First Steps
Contact UA (United Association) Local pipefitter apprenticeship programs in your area — separate from plumber apprenticeships.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do pipefitters make in Massachusetts?
The median wage for pipefitters in Massachusetts is $93,880 per year (May 2025, BLS). Entry-level pay (10th percentile) starts around $52,010, and top earners (90th percentile) make about $135,080. Pay varies by metro and years of experience.
What license or certification do you need to become a Pipefitter in Massachusetts?
UA Journeyman Pipefitter credential (no state license required), overseen by the No Massachusetts state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential). Massachusetts does not require an individual pipefitter state license. The standard path is a UA (United Association) apprenticeship: 5 years, approximately 10,000 OJT hours covering industrial piping systems, rigging, welding, and process systems.
Is being a Pipefitter a good career in Massachusetts?
Pipefitters install and maintain high-pressure industrial piping systems — licensed work with safety-critical stakes in power plants, refineries, and commercial buildings.
Which Massachusetts metros pay pipefitters the most?
Among Massachusetts metro areas, Boston leads at $96,760, followed by Springfield ($92,080), Worcester ($82,260). 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 Pipefitter in Massachusetts?
Real Massachusetts options include Southeastern Technical Institute. Most pipefitters start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.
Is Pipefitter a growing career in Massachusetts?
Massachusetts projects pipefitters employment to change +6.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 1,500 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), Massachusetts statewide and metro estimates for SOC 47-2152. Licensing summary compiled from the No Massachusetts state license required for pipefitters (UA journeyman card is the credential) (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 Massachusetts wages · Massachusetts 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.