Plumber in Massachusetts
Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MA
How to Become a Plumber in Massachusetts
To become a licensed Journeyman Plumber in Massachusetts, individuals must complete 550 hours of plumbing and gas-fitting theory from a board-approved provider over at least four years, and accrue 6,800 hours of practical work experience as a licensed apprentice. After passing the Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Examination and paying the license fee, the license is valid for two years and requires 12 hours of continuing education for renewal. Massachusetts has reciprocity agreements with Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Washington, and Oregon.
Plumber Requirements in Massachusetts
| Detail | Massachusetts |
|---|---|
| Licensing Body | Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters |
| State License Required | Yes |
| Education | 550 hours of plumbing and gas-fitting theory from a board-approved provider, over a period of no less than four years. |
| Experience Required | 6,800.0 hours |
| Exam | Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Examination ($31) |
| Application Fee | $52 |
| Renewal | Every 2.0 years |
| Continuing Education | 12.0 hours per cycle |
| Notes | Journeyman Plumber applicants must be at least 16 years old. Master Plumber applicants must have at least 1,700 hours of practical experience as a licensed Journeyman Plumber (over at least one year) and complete 110 hours of advanced plumbing theory. A Criminal Offender Record Information Acknowledgement (CORI) form is required for both licenses. |
Source: Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
License Tiers
Massachusetts offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:
| Tier | Hours Required |
|---|---|
| Apprentice | N/A |
| Journeyman | 6,800 |
| Master | 8,500 |
Plumber Salary in Massachusetts
The median plumber salary in Massachusetts is $83,260 per year, which is 32.2% above the national median of $62,970.
| Percentile | Annual Salary |
|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $47,830 |
| 25th | $59,100 |
| 50th (median) | $83,260 |
| 75th | $105,630 |
| 90th (experienced) | $140,500 |
Massachusetts employs approximately 15,670 plumbers.
Plumber Job Outlook
AI Impact on Plumbers
Low AI Exposure (Score: -1.12/1.00)
This career has low exposure to AI automation. Most tasks require physical presence, human judgment, or hands-on skills that AI cannot easily replicate.
Is Becoming a Plumber in Massachusetts Worth It?
With an estimated total investment of $5,000 and a median salary of $83,260 in Massachusetts, the rough payback period is approximately 1 month.
Factors to consider: Massachusetts's cost of living, the state licensing requirement, moderate job growth, low AI disruption risk, and your personal career goals.