Plumber/Pipefitter at Worcester Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #4
at Worcester Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #4 in W Boylston, MA
About This Program
Worcester Plumbers & Pipefitters Local #4, located in West Boylston, Massachusetts, offers a union JATC apprenticeship in the plumbing and pipefitting trades. This program serves apprentices in the central Massachusetts region and delivers training that meets the standards of the United Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters. All apprentices are paid while training.
The five-year program combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 576 hours of classroom instruction. Apprentices work on residential, commercial, and industrial projects throughout the area, developing skills in pipe installation, fitting, testing, and system troubleshooting. Technical instruction covers plumbing and pipefitting codes, safety regulations, pipe materials, and trade-specific mathematics.
Graduates earn journey-level status and union membership in Local #4, giving them access to competitive wages, union benefits, and a broad contractor network across central Massachusetts. The program is well-suited for individuals who want a skilled trade career with long-term job security and advancement potential.
Wage & Training
Journeyman Wage
$30
OJT Hours
8,000
RTI Hours
576
Duration
5 years
Wage data is the national median for this occupation (BLS, May 2023), not specific to this program.
Plumber Career Outlook
National Median
$30.46/hr
~$63,356.8/yr
Apprentice Start
$15/hr
Earn while you learn
Job Outlook
Plumber employment is projected to grow steadily, driven by new construction, building renovation, and the need to replace aging water infrastructure. Water efficiency regulations and green building standards are creating additional demand for skilled plumbers. The trade consistently ranks among the hardest positions for employers to fill, indicating strong job security.
What to Expect as a Plumber/Pipefitter Apprentice
Duration
5 years of combined on-the-job training and classroom instruction
On-the-Job Training
~32 hours/week of hands-on work under journeyman supervision (8,000 total hours)
Classroom Instruction
576 hours of related technical instruction (~115 hours/year)
Paid Training
You earn a wage from day one, starting at a percentage of the journeyman rate and increasing as you progress
Time-based program: You'll progress through the program based on completing a set number of hours in both on-the-job training and classroom instruction.
This is a union-affiliated program. Union apprenticeships typically offer strong benefits packages, pension contributions, and structured career advancement through the local hall.
Trade School vs. Apprenticeship for Plumber
Apprenticeship
Trade School
Licensing in Massachusetts
Plumber/Pipefitters in Massachusetts are required to hold a license. Licensing is issued by Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.
View full Massachusettslicensing requirements →Reviews
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