Plumbing Schools in Massachusetts

A career as a plumber in Massachusetts is always a good idea, thanks to the growing demand, impressive salary, and the opportunity it provides for professionals to work at their own pace. This article explores everything you need to know to begin a career in the field and enjoy all these benefits.

First, we take a look at all of the key steps you’ll have to pass through to be able to practice legally; then, we follow it up by providing a list of a few notable training programs in the state.

Finally, we discuss the certification and licensing requirements and the potential salary you can expect to take home annually.

How to Become a Plumber in Massachusetts

Step 1: Complete Secondary Education

Every plumber in Massachusetts must have a high school diploma or GED. This is not because an official law mandates it but because employers, trade schools, and apprenticeships tend to admit only candidates with either of these credentials.

Step 2: Enroll for Training

The most crucial step to becoming a plumber is acquiring the training needed to perform your duties. There are, however, quite a few options to consider in this regard, each with its benefits over the other.

Vocational School

The first option to obtain plumbing training in Massachusetts is to enroll in a formal plumbing program at a trade/vocational school or a college nearby.

The benefits of this approach include an emphasis on building a solid classroom foundation, a little bit of hands-on training, and intense preparation for licensing exams.

Apprenticeship

Programs organized by trade unions, organizations, and select companies are the next viable alternative for acquiring plumbing training. The benefits of these programs include the opportunity for real-world experience, mentorship, and a rigorous hands-on foundation right from the start.

Fast-Tracked Plumbing Course

Accredited fast-tracked courses for plumbers are another viable option. The benefit of this approach is the speed. These programs can be completed in only 8 - 10 weeks.

Step 3: Obtain Work Experience

Those looking to shore up their education with real-world experience may consider working as a plumber’s assistant before securing employment.

This applies to graduates of plumbing training programs, fast-tracked courses, and registered apprentices who desire a little bit more experience as an assistant before working on their own.

Step 4: Apply for Licensure

After graduating from a training program or an apprenticeship, the next step is to become a licensed plumber. We look at some of the most essential steps in this process in one of the upcoming sections below.

Consider Trades with Similar Paths:

• Learn how to become an HVAC technician in Massachusetts

Top Plumbing Schools in Massachusetts

Explore Plumbing Schools by City:

• Plumbing Schools in Boston

Licensure and Certification Requirements

The Massachusetts Division of Professional Licensure issues the apprentice, journeyman, and master plumber licenses required for a plumber in the state to practice professionally.

• An apprentice plumber must enroll in a secondary program/trade school or be employed by a licensed master plumber.
• A journeyman plumber must have completed at least 6800 hours of work experience as a licensed apprentice or attended a plumbing school.
• Master plumbers are journeyman plumbers with at least one year of practical experience.

Candidates must pass a state-mandated examination to become a Journeyman Plumber in Massachusetts, while journeyman plumbers must complete 110 hours of the Plumber Educational Program to become Master Plumbers.

Salary and Job Outlook

As a plumber in Massachusetts, you may look forward to earning an annual average salary of $74,778 - around 31% higher than the national average for other states.

Those who are just starting may begin with a salary of around $45,378, while those who have made it to the top ten percent of earners in the field often take home as high as $123,226.

Tewkesbury is the highest-paying city for plumbers in Massachusetts, with an annual average of $100,276. Wilmington and Rowley follow with a yearly average of $97,950 and $92,497, respectively.

Plumbers in Boston earn an annual average salary of $76,624.