Plumber in Massachusetts

Requirements, salary data, licensing costs, and career ROI for MA. Updated with 2024 BLS OEWS wage data.

Median annual salary

$83,260

trending_up +32.2% vs. national

BLS OEWS 2024, Massachusetts.

engineering

15,670

Jobs (MA)

monitoring Strong

+4.5%

10-yr job growth

payments

$5,000

Est. total cost

schedule

At least 4 years for Journeyman, plus 1 year for Master

Time to complete

route 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.

bar_chart Salary percentiles

10th percentile (entry) $47,830

25th percentile $59,100

50th (median) $83,260

75th percentile $105,630

90th (experienced) $140,500

Source: BLS OEWS 2024 for Massachusetts. Metro-area wages may differ significantly from the state aggregate.

checklist Massachusetts requirements

Licensing body	Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters
State license	Required
Education	550 hours of plumbing and gas-fitting theory from a board-approved provider, over a period of no less than four years.
Experience	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

workspace_premium Massachusetts license tiers

Massachusetts offers multiple tiers of plumber licensing:

Tier	Hours required
Apprentice	N/A
Journeyman	6,800
Master	8,500

work_outline Job outlook

10-year growth

+4.5%

Faster than average

Annual openings

44,000

Nationwide per year

Total employment

504,500

Nationwide

neurology

AI & tech impact

verified Low exposure -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.

hub

balance Is it worth it?

Rough payback period

1 month

~$5,000 investment ÷ $83,260 median salary

check_circleMassachusetts license required — clearer credential signal to employers
check_circleLow AI disruption risk

psychology

Wondering if a plumber career is the right fit?

See what the day actually looks like, who the role suits, and who should skip it — grounded in real practitioner sources.

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Frequently asked questions

How do you get certified as a plumber in Massachusetts? expand_more

In Massachusetts, becoming a plumber requires you to complete the required education (550 hours of plumbing and gas-fitting theory from a board-approved provider, over a period of no less than four years.), gain 6,800.0 hours of supervised experience, pass the Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Examination, and submit your application ($52 fee).

Do I need a license to work as a plumber in Massachusetts? expand_more

Yes, Massachusetts requires a state license to practice as a plumber. The licensing body is Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters. You must pass the Massachusetts Journeyman Plumber Examination.

How much does a plumber make in Massachusetts? expand_more

The median plumber salary in Massachusetts is $83,260 per year. That's 32% above the national median of $62,970. Wages range from $47,830 (10th percentile) up to $140,500 (90th percentile).

What's the total cost to get plumber certified in Massachusetts? expand_more

Plan on spending $5,000 total — that covers exam fee ($31) and application fee ($52) plus your education and training.

How quickly can I become a plumber in Massachusetts? expand_more

In Massachusetts, becoming a plumber generally takes At least 4 years for Journeyman, plus 1 year for Master, accounting for education requirements, hands-on training, and the exam process.

How many CE hours do plumbers need in Massachusetts? expand_more

To keep your license active, Massachusetts mandates 12.0 CE hours every 2.0 years.