How to Become A Construction Trades Worker in Massachusetts

Massachusetts employs approximately 16,210 construction trades workers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $63,390 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034, with about 129,400 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a construction trades worker in Massachusetts, including requirements, training programs, and salary data.

Quick Answers About Becoming A Construction Trades Worker in Massachusetts

How do I become a construction trades worker in Massachusetts? Complete a training program or apprenticeship, gain work experience, and meet any state or employer requirements for construction trades workers in Massachusetts.

How long does it take? Most paths take 1 to 5 years depending on whether you choose trade school, an apprenticeship, or a combination of both.

What do construction trades workers earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Massachusetts is $63,390 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $45,170 and experienced professionals can earn $98,880 or more 1.

At a Glance

  • Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
  • Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
  • Median wage (Massachusetts): $63,390 per year 1

Construction Trades Worker Apprenticeship Information in Massachusetts

Apprenticeships combine paid on-the-job training with classroom instruction and typically last 3 to 5 years. Massachusetts’s apprenticeship program is administered by the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training 3.

Contact Information:

  • Office: Division of Apprentice Training, Department of Workforce Development
  • Address: 100 Cambridge Street, Boston, MA 02114
  • Phone: (617) 626-5442
  • Email: [email protected]

Construction Trades Worker Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts

Construction Laborers Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), construction laborers wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual WageAvg. Annual WageEntry Level
(10th pctile)
Experienced
(90th pctile)
Boston-Cambridge-Newton11,580$63,420$71,350$46,460$99,410
Providence-Warwick3,240$59,280$62,920$39,760$90,790
Worcester1,650$61,410$69,030$43,440$96,160
Springfield880$62,660$66,780$43,490$93,510
Barnstable Town750$60,040$63,070$44,550$93,170
Pittsfield350$52,130$56,280$39,730$75,400
Amherst Town-Northampton280$58,150$62,530$38,930$96,140

Wages reflect survey data and vary based on experience, credentials, employer, and local market conditions. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

Top Metros for Construction trades workers in Massachusetts

The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest construction trades worker employment within Massachusetts according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).

Metro AreaEmploymentMedian Annual Wage
Boston-Cambridge-Newton11,580$63,420
Worcester1,650$61,410
Springfield880$62,660
Barnstable Town750$60,040
Pittsfield350$52,130

Explore More Trades in Massachusetts

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the job outlook for construction trades workers in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 16,210 construction trades workers 1. Nationally, construction trades worker employment is projected to grow 7.3% from 2024 to 2034 2.

What training programs are available in Massachusetts? Options include trade schools, community colleges, and apprenticeship programs. Use the school finder above to search for accredited programs in Massachusetts. You can also contact the Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training for apprenticeship opportunities.

How much do construction trades workers earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for construction trades workers in Massachusetts is $63,390, which is $16,660 above the national median of $46,730 according to BLS data 1.

Citations

About this guide: Researched and written by the TradeCareerPath Editorial Team. Our editorial team researches and sources every trade school and career guide using federal labor and education data, including BLS OEWS and Employment Projections, DOL apprenticeship records, IPEDS, College Scorecard, and state licensing boards. We follow the editorial standards documented at /editorial-policy/.

References


  1. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎

  2. Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎

  3. Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/01/oi/all-active-sponors.xlsx ↩︎

Data sources

Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.

DataProviderVintage
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS)U.S. Bureau of Labor StatisticsMay 2025
Employment ProjectionsU.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics2024-2034
Integrated Postsecondary Education Data SystemNational Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS)2024
College Scorecard (school-level outcomes)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release
College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings)U.S. Department of Educationlatest release (updated 2026-06-12)
Occupational licensing requirementsCareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2026-02-22)
Registered apprenticeship programsCareerOneStop / Apprenticeship.gov (U.S. Department of Labor)latest release (updated 2025-10-25)
O*NET occupation profiles (skills, tasks, tools, job zones)U.S. Department of Labor (O*NET / Employment & Training Admin.)O*NET 29.1 (updated 2026-06-13)