Trade Schools
With an expected job growth of 6 percent over the next decade, plumbing is a profession that will continue to be in demand in the future.
Plumbers will be needed to maintain and repair plumbing systems in old buildings and to install systems in new construction projects.
If you live in Massachusetts and want to become a plumber, this page is for you.
A plumber’s annual wage may range from less than $40,000 to more than $100,000, depending on experience, industry of employment, and many other factors.
According to the United States Bureau of Labor Statistics, the median wage reported by workers in this profession was calculated at $61,550 as of May 2023.
Most employers require plumbers to hold a trade school diploma or to have completed an apprenticeship.
Our selection includes both types of programs.
Apprenticeships typically last between four and five years and include technical instruction and paid on-the-job training.
Most states also require plumbers to be licensed before being allowed to work independently.
1The Plumbing Academy
The Plumbing Academy prepares students for a career path in trades.
The academy is certified to provide Commonwealth of Massachusetts plumbing and gas-fitting Tier Classes, a 55-hour Refresher Course, and Continuing Education Sessions online.
Courses Offered
The following plumbing tier classes are available:
- Tier 1- This part includes 110 hours and is open to any individual who explores the prospects of a plumbing apprenticeship
- Tier 2- before entering this part, apprentices must have completed Tier-1 classes and be employed by a Master plumber.
- Tier-3- apprentices must have completed Tier 2 and be employed by a Master plumber before enrolling in Tier 3
- Tier 4- before entering this part, apprentices must have completed Tier-3 classes and be employed by a Master plumber
- Tier 5- before entering this part, apprentices must have completed Tier 4 and be employed by a Master plumber
Each tier includes 110 hours.
All classes are $1,500.
Contact Information
- Address: Middleton, MA 01949
- Phone: 978-620-5880
- Website: https://www.theplumbingacademy.com
2The Peterson School
The Peterson School offers courses on a variety of subjects, including Fire Alarm Systems, Electrical, HVACR, OSHA, Gas Heat, Plumbing, and more.
Courses Offered
The following programs are available at the school:
- Basic Plumbing
- Plumbing Tier I Prep
- Plumbing Tier II Prep
- Plumbing Tier III Prep
- Plumbing Tier IV Prep
- Plumbing Tier V Master Prep
The Basic Plumbing course includes 90 hours of training and costs $1,500.
Plumbing Tier I includes 110 hours of training and costs $1,950.
The other courses include 110 hours of training each and cost $1,850 each.
Contact Information
- Address: 25 Montvale Avenue, Woburn, MA 01801
- Phone: 781-938-5656
- Website: https://www.petersonschool.com
3Minuteman Technical Institute
Minuteman Technical Institute is the adult learning division of Minuteman Regional Vocational Technical High School in Lexington, Massachusetts.
Courses Offered
MTI offers several career technical education courses in high-demand trades, including:
- Automotive Technology
- Carpentry Pre-Apprentice
- Electrical Wiring
- Plumbing Tier 1
- Plumbing Code Theory Tiers 2-5
- And more
Minuteman Technical Institute offers a Plumbing program for students who plan to take the Massachusetts exam for a Journeyman Plumbing License.
Those interested must first complete five courses: Plumbing Tiers 1-5.
The Plumbing Tier I course is free for unemployed or under-employed people.
Plumbing Tier 1-5 cost $975 each.
Contact Information
- Address: 758 Marrett Road, Lexington MA 02421
- Phone: (781) 861-6500
- Website: https://www.minutemanti.org
4Southeastern Technical Institute
About the School
Southeastern Technical Institute offers a variety of accredited programs that equip students with skills for today’s demanding economy.
The programs include hands-on laboratory and clinical experience.
The Plumbing Program available at the institute can be completed in ten months and is designed to develop entry-level practical skills needed in the plumbing trade.
Training covers traditional and current plumbing practices in residential and commercial settings following industry standards and the Massachusetts Plumbing Code.
Students learn the basics of piping practices and materials, as well as working with water and gas systems.
Contact Information
- Address: 250 Foundry Street, South Easton, MA 02375
- Phone: 508- 230-1297
- Website: https://stitech.edu
5Greater Lawrence Technical School
About the School
Greater Lawrence Technical School offers a Plumbing Apprenticeship program.
This is an Adult Technical Program with courses designed to prepare Plumbing apprentices to fulfill the requirements to take the Massachusetts State Journeyman Plumber Examination.
Courses Offered
The following courses are available at Greater Lawrence Technical School:
- Plumbing Tier 1
- Plumbing Tier 2
- Plumbing Tier 3
- Plumbing Tier 4
- Plumbing Tier 5
Each tier includes 110 hours of training.
Contact Information
- Address: 57 River Road, Andover MA 01810
- Phone: (978) 686-0194
- Website: https://www.glts.net
6Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School
About the School
Blackstone Valley Regional Vocational Technical High School offers a plumbing program that includes training in residential and commercial plumbing in accordance with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Fuel Gas and Plumbing Code.
The program curriculum focuses on science and math and includes instruction in:
- The assembly of steel, copper, and cast iron piping
- Residential hot and cold water distribution systems
- Drainage waste and vent systems
- The installation of commercial plumbing fixtures
Students learn skills such as:
- Residential and commercial plumbing code
- Boiler and hot water heater installation
- Sizing and installing water and gas piping
- Drainage water and vent systems
- Blueprint reading
- Drain cleaning
- Valve repair
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 65 Pleasant Street, Upton, MA 01568
- Phone: 508-529-7758
- Website: https://www.valleytech.k12.ma.us
7Quincy High School
About the School
Quincy High School offers a Plumbing Technology program that integrates classroom learning with practical experience, covering construction safety, material handling, plumbing regulations, and the latest green technologies.
Students become proficient in repairing and servicing plumbing and fuel gas systems.
After completing the program, students are equipped to pursue entry-level positions as apprentice plumbers, sprinkler fitters, pipefitters, steamfitters, or pipelayers.
The State of Massachusetts requires the completion of a five-year plumbing apprenticeship under a master plumber’s supervision, accompanied by 550 hours of classroom training.
QPS students earn 110 theory hours and 445 hours of hands-on experience.
Contact Information
- Address: 100 Coddington Street, Quincy, MA 02169
- Phone: 617-984-8754
- Website: https://qhs.quincypublicschools.com
8Chicopee Comprehensive High School
About the School
Chicopee Comprehensive High School offers a variety of career and technical education programs.
Courses Offered
Chicopee Comprehensive High School also offers a Continuing Education Plumbing program, that consists of five tiers of plumbing.
The program prepares students for the Journeyman Plumbers License.
This program traditionally has been a five-year, 550-hour commitment, but now the state allows for a 550-hour completion over a five-year time frame.
Students who graduate from a Chapter 74 high school plumbing program can enter the Continuing Education program as a fourth-year student.
Contact Information
- Address: 617 Montgomery St. Chicopee, MA 01020
- Phone: 413-594-3534
- Website: https://comp.chicopeeps.org
9Central Massachusetts Technical School
About the School
Central Massachusetts Technical School offers a Massachusetts Plumbing School that includes tier 1-5 110-hour online courses.
The courses are approved by the Massachusetts board.
A test prep crash course is also available at the school.
This two-day course prepares students for their journeyman or master plumber exams.
Classes run twice a year, in August and February, for 13 weeks.
There is a 10-student minimum in each tier, and classes are held two nights a week, from 6 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
Classes are offered online only.
Central Massachusetts Technical School serves the following areas:
- Boston MA
- Worcester MA
- Springfield MA
Contact Information
- Phone: 508-304-3290
- Website: https://centralmasstechschool.com
10Greater Lowell Technical High School
About the School
Greater Lowell Technical High School offers a Plumbing program that covers the theory, design, illustration, and maintenance of plumbing and heating systems.
Students who attend this program get hands-on experience with the latest installation techniques, materials, tools, fixtures, and appliances.
The program’s goal is to prepare students to become apprentices and then licensed plumbers.
Courses Offered
The Plumbing program covers topics and skills such as:
- Copper water piping
- Cast iron piping
- Plastic waste and vent piping
- Gas piping
- Hydraulics and pneumatics
- Hot water heating
- And more
Contact Information
- Address: 250 Pawtucket Boulevard, Tyngsborough MA 01879
- Phone: (978) 454-5411
- Website: https://www.gltech.org
Schools Summary Table
Regional Salary in Massachusetts
| Region | Employed | Avg. Annual Salary | Avg. Hourly Pay | Top 10% Annual Salary | Bottom 10% Annual Salary |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Amherst Town-Northampton, MA | 190 | $75,290 | $36.20 | $102,890 | $46,390 |
| Barnstable Town, MA | 660 | $72,270 | $34.75 | $103,010 | $45,090 |
| Boston-Cambridge-Newton, MA-NH | 11,320 | $89,040 | $42.81 | $140,870 | $48,170 |
| Pittsfield, MA | 250 | $76,540 | $36.80 | $128,630 | $42,490 |
| Springfield, MA | 820 | $86,330 | $41.51 | $132,070 | $47,480 |
| Worcester, MA | 1,490 | $82,440 | $39.64 | $135,300 | $46,490 |
* Employment conditions in your area may vary.
Final Thoughts
Plumbers will continue to be in demand in the future to install and maintain plumbing systems in residential and commercial buildings.
Now that you have read our selection of the best plumbing schools in Massachusetts, the next step is to continue the research and apply for the program that best meets your needs and career aspirations.
