Plumber in Massachusetts: Salary, License Requirements, and How to Start

Skilled trades

Massachusetts employs 13,460 plumbers, 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 Plumbers 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 plumbers 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 plumbers 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

Journeyman Plumber License — regulated by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.

Register as an Apprentice Plumber with the Board and complete a 550-hour plumbing tier program (110 hours each in Tiers 1–5, First through Fifth Year Journeyman curriculum). Work under a licensed Master Plumber during your apprenticeship years.
Apply for the Journeyman Plumber exam through the Board. Pass the state exam, which covers the Massachusetts Plumbing Code, plumbing theory, fixtures, drainage, and safe practices.
Apply to the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters for your Journeyman Plumber license. Renew every two years (even-year cycle, May 1 deadline). UA Local 12 (Boston) is the primary apprenticeship pipeline.

Official requirements: Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters →

Training in Massachusetts

Massachusetts has one of the more structured plumber licensing systems in the country, with a mandatory five-tier educational program before you can even sit for the journeyman exam. UA Local 12 in Boston runs a highly respected apprenticeship and is the career path of choice for commercial plumbing in Greater Boston. Massachusetts' aging housing stock, biotech construction, and large hospital systems create consistent plumber demand.

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 durable demand and do not mind dirty, physical work.

Think twice if: You need clean environments, predictable hours, or low physical strain.

Why it's resilient: Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

First Steps

Search state plumbing apprenticeship requirements and local union/non-union programs.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much do plumbers make in Massachusetts?

The median wage for plumbers 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 Plumber in Massachusetts?

Journeyman Plumber License, overseen by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. Register as an Apprentice Plumber with the Board and complete a 550-hour plumbing tier program (110 hours each in Tiers 1–5, First through Fifth Year Journeyman curriculum). Work under a licensed Master Plumber during your apprenticeship years.

Is being a Plumber a good career in Massachusetts?

Plumbing is local, licensed, physical, urgent, and full of unpredictable building-specific constraints.

Which Massachusetts metros pay plumbers 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 Plumber in Massachusetts?

Real Massachusetts options include Southeastern Technical Institute. Most plumbers start with an accredited program, then earn the credential the state or employer requires.

Is Plumber a growing career in Massachusetts?

Massachusetts projects plumbers 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 Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters (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.