How to Become A Plumber in Massachusetts
Massachusetts employs approximately 13,460 plumbers according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, with a median annual wage of $93,880 1. The state’s concentration of plumber jobs is 1.24x the national average, indicating strong demand. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034, with about 44,000 openings per year 2. This page covers how to become a plumber in Massachusetts, including licensing requirements, training programs, and salary data.
Quick Answers About Becoming A Plumber in Massachusetts
How do I become a plumber in Massachusetts? Massachusetts requires credentials such as PLUMBER (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master) License, PIPEFITTER. The licensing authority is the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters - Division of Professional Licensure 3. You also need to complete an approved training program or apprenticeship.
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.
Do I need a license in Massachusetts? Yes. Massachusetts has licensing or registration requirements for plumbers. The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters - Division of Professional Licensure oversees licensing 3. See the licensing section below for details.
What do plumbers earn in Massachusetts? The median annual wage for plumbers in Massachusetts is $93,880 according to BLS data. Entry-level wages start around $52,010 and experienced professionals can earn $135,080 or more 1.
At a Glance
- Training paths: trade school, community college, or apprenticeship
- Typical timeline: 1 to 5 years depending on the path
- Licensing authority: Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters - Division of Professional Licensure
- Median wage (Massachusetts): $93,880 per year 1
- Exam requirement: State exam required
Plumber License Requirements in Massachusetts
The Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters - Division of Professional Licensure oversees plumber licensing in Massachusetts 3.
License Types
| License | Requirements |
|---|---|
| PLUMBER (Apprentice, Journeyman, Master) License | Every apprentice shall before starting his apprenticeship file an application, accompanied by the appropriate fee, with the examiners, requesting that he be issued an apprentice license. |
| PIPEFITTER | Master Pipefitter: Must be an owner or manager of a business and must have 4 years experience as a Journeyman pipefitter. |
Additional Requirements
- Background check: No criminal record prohibitions
- Exam: State exam required
- Experience: Work experience required
License information sourced from CareerOneStop 4.
Plumber 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 5.
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]
Plumber Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Wages by Metro Area in Massachusetts
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (2025 OES data), plumbers, pipefitters, and steamfitters wages in Massachusetts vary by metro area.
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage | Avg. Annual Wage | Entry Level (10th pctile) | Experienced (90th pctile) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 9,200 | $96,760 | $92,810 | $52,270 | $143,950 |
| Providence-Warwick | 3,000 | $79,820 | $82,000 | $49,590 | $110,770 |
| Worcester | 1,370 | $82,260 | $84,660 | $48,860 | $119,980 |
| Springfield | 670 | $92,080 | $87,490 | $52,760 | $118,820 |
| Barnstable Town | 640 | $76,270 | $76,690 | $47,020 | $107,400 |
| Pittsfield | 230 | $81,970 | $83,890 | $47,950 | $121,070 |
| Amherst Town-Northampton | 190 | $78,570 | $78,310 | $48,760 | $109,340 |
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 Plumbers in Massachusetts
The metropolitan areas listed below report the highest plumber employment within Massachusetts according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (May 2025).
| Metro Area | Employment | Median Annual Wage |
|---|---|---|
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton | 9,200 | $96,760 |
| Worcester | 1,370 | $82,260 |
| Springfield | 670 | $92,080 |
| Barnstable Town | 640 | $76,270 |
| Pittsfield | 230 | $81,970 |
Federal Prevailing Wage in Massachusetts
Under the Davis-Bacon Act, plumbers working on federally funded construction projects in Massachusetts earn a prevailing wage set by the U.S. Department of Labor. Recent Massachusetts general wage determinations show approximately $69.84 per hour in base pay plus $36.43 per hour in fringe benefits, for an effective hourly rate of about $106.27 (Source: DOL Wage and Hour Division, Davis-Bacon wage determinations, 2026) 6.
Prevailing wages apply to federal construction contracts above the Davis-Bacon threshold and may differ from typical private-sector pay reported by the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Rates also vary by county and by classification within plumber work.
Explore More Trades in Massachusetts
- Electrician in Massachusetts
- HVAC Technician in Massachusetts
- Welder in Massachusetts
- Carpenter in Massachusetts
- Solar Installation Technician in Massachusetts
- Auto Mechanic in Massachusetts
- CNC Machinist in Massachusetts
- Certified Nursing Assistant in Massachusetts
- Medical Assistant in Massachusetts
- Massage Therapist in Massachusetts
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the job outlook for plumbers in Massachusetts? Massachusetts currently employs approximately 13,460 plumbers 1. Nationally, plumber employment is projected to grow 4.5% from 2024 to 2034 2.
Can I work as a plumber in Massachusetts with an out-of-state license? Contact the Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters - Division of Professional Licensure for details on reciprocity and credential transfer.
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 plumbers earn in Massachusetts compared to the national average? The median annual wage for plumbers in Massachusetts is $93,880, which is $30,910 above the national median of $62,970 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
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics: https://www.bls.gov/oes/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
Bureau of Labor Statistics - Employment Projections: https://www.bls.gov/emp/ ↩︎ ↩︎
Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters - Division of Professional Licensure - Licensing Information: http://www.mass.gov/ocabr/licensee/dpl-boards/pl/ ↩︎ ↩︎ ↩︎
CareerOneStop - Licensed Occupations: https://www.careeronestop.org/Toolkit/Training/find-licenses.aspx ↩︎
Massachusetts Division of Apprentice Training: https://www.mass.gov/files/documents/2017/01/oi/all-active-sponors.xlsx ↩︎
U.S. Department of Labor, Wage and Hour Division - Davis-Bacon General Wage Determinations: https://sam.gov/wage-determinations ↩︎
Data sources
Figures on this page are sourced from the federal and state datasets below. Methodology: how we rank and source data.
| Data | Provider | Vintage |
|---|---|---|
| Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | May 2025 |
| Employment Projections | U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics | 2024-2034 |
| Integrated Postsecondary Education Data System | National Center for Education Statistics (IPEDS) | 2024 |
| College Scorecard (school-level outcomes) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release |
| College Scorecard (field-of-study earnings) | U.S. Department of Education | latest release (updated 2026-06-12) |
| Occupational licensing requirements | CareerOneStop (U.S. Department of Labor) | latest release (updated 2026-02-22) |
| Registered apprenticeship programs | CareerOneStop / 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) |