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.
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Top Plumbing Schools in Massachusetts
1. Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology
One of the most popular training programs in the state, the Benjamin Franklin Institute of Technology, was established in 1908 and boasts of having some of the best engineering and industrial technology programs around.
Its plumbing program is also impressive, with a curriculum based on Massachusetts’ plumbing code requirements. The program can be completed in 10 months.
2. The Peterson School
The Peterson School is the second viable alternative for future plumbers in Massachusetts. Students here are trained in introductory courses that contribute towards certification. Those needing continuing education to keep up with advancements in the field may also enroll.
The basic plumbing program requires 90 hours of training and can be completed in 15 weeks.
3. The Plumbing Academy, Inc
Those who desire an online training option may consider the program at The Plumbing Academy. This course is notable for being flexible and self-paced.
Its journeyman plumbing course includes 6800 hours of hands-on training and 550 hours of classroom instructions.
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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.
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