Plumber in Lynn, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Lynn Stands

If you're a plumber looking at Lynn, you're looking at a market that pays slightly above the national average but comes with a high cost of living. The median salary for a plumber in Lynn is $65,554/year, which breaks down to an hourly rate of $31.52/hour. This is notably higher than the national average of $63,350/year, giving you a slight edge right off the bat. The metro area, which includes Lynn and surrounding communities, has a healthy demand with 202 jobs listed for plumbers, and a 10-year job growth projected at 6%. This growth is steady, driven by an aging housing stock and ongoing commercial development along the North Shore and into Boston.

Here’s how that salary breaks down by experience level. Keep in mind, these are estimates based on regional data and local job postings; your specific rate will depend on your licensure, specialization, and the company you work for.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Estimated Hourly Rate
Entry-Level (0-2 yrs)	$48,000 - $55,000	$23 - $26.50
Mid-Level (3-7 yrs)	$60,000 - $72,000	$28.85 - $34.60
Senior-Level (8-15 yrs)	$70,000 - $85,000	$33.65 - $40.85
Expert/Supervisor (15+ yrs)	$85,000+	$40.85+

Insider Tip: The jump from mid to senior level is where you'll see the biggest pay increase in Lynn. Companies like Wentworth Plumbing and A-1 Plumbing in nearby Salem often pay a premium for plumbers who can handle complex commercial work or manage apprentices, pushing senior salaries closer to the $80,000 mark.

Compared to other Massachusetts cities, Lynn is a solid middle-ground. Boston plumbers might earn 10-15% more, but the commute and living costs are exponentially higher. In smaller cities like Lowell or Lawrence, salaries can be slightly lower (closer to the national average), but the cost of living is also less punishing. Lynn offers a unique value proposition: you’re still in the Greater Boston orbit with access to high-paying union jobs (like those with Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12), but your rent and daily expenses are more manageable than in the city proper or even some closer suburbs like Chelsea or Revere.

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The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let’s get real about the numbers. A median salary of $65,554 in Lynn means a monthly take-home pay after taxes (federal, state, and FICA) is roughly $3,900 - $4,100. Now, factor in the local cost of living. The cost of living index for Lynn is 111.6, meaning it’s about 11.6% more expensive than the national average. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment is $2,064/month.

Here’s a realistic monthly budget for a plumber earning the median salary:

Expense Category	Estimated Monthly Cost	Notes
Take-Home Pay	$4,000	After taxes
Rent (1BR)	$2,064	City average
Utilities (Elec/Gas/Water/Net)	$280	Varies by season
Groceries & Household	$450	For one person
Car Payment + Insurance	$400	Lynn is car-dependent
Gas / Public Transit	$150	MBTA to Boston or local
Health Insurance (If not employer)	$300	Varies widely
Retirement Savings (5%)	$273	Critical for long-term wealth
Discretionary / Misc.	$283	Eating out, entertainment, etc.
Total Expenses	$4,200
Monthly Deficit	($200)

The Bottom Line: On a single income at the median, you’re looking at a tight budget. Most plumbers in Lynn either have a partner who works, live with roommates to split rent, or work overtime/seasonal hours to get ahead. The $2,064 rent for a 1BR is a city-wide average; you can find cheaper options in neighborhoods like West Lynn or Lynnfield (just over the border), but you'll sacrifice on commute time or amenities.

Can they afford to buy a home? It's challenging but not impossible. The median home price in Lynn is around $550,000. With a $65,554 salary, a standard 20% down payment ($110,000) is a tall order. Most first-time homebuyers in the area look at condos in the $350,000 - $450,000 range or single-family homes in the $500,000s in neighborhoods like Pine Hill or Lynnfield. To afford a median home, you'd likely need a dual income or to be in the senior/expert pay tier. FHA loans and state programs like the Massachusetts Housing Partnership (MHP) can help, but your debt-to-income ratio will be tight.

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Where the Jobs Are: Lynn's Major Employers

Lynn is a hub for both residential service companies and larger commercial/industrial contractors. The job market is robust, with demand coming from the city’s dense housing stock, hospitals, and manufacturing. Here are key employers and hiring trends:

1. Lynn Water and Sewer Commission: While not a private employer, they handle all public water and sewer lines. They hire plumbers and pipefitters for maintenance and new installation. Jobs here are stable, unionized (Teamsters), and offer great benefits. They typically post openings on the City of Lynn career portal.
2. North Shore Medical Center (Part of Salem Hospital): A major healthcare facility in Lynn. The facilities maintenance department employs plumbers for hospital-grade plumbing systems, medical gas lines, and backflow prevention. This work requires specialized knowledge and often a higher security clearance.
3. Barton Associates Inc. (Based in Peabody, serves Lynn): A large local contractor specializing in commercial HVAC and plumbing. They frequently hire for projects in Lynn’s commercial corridors (like Market Square and near the ferry terminal). Hiring trends show a need for plumbers with experience in multi-family residential and light commercial.
4. Local Residential Service Companies: Companies like Lynn Plumbing & Heating and Allied Plumbing & Heating (based in nearby Swampscott) are always looking for licensed journeymen for service and repair work. The trend here is for plumbers who are customer-service oriented and can work independently.
5. Wentworth Plumbing (Wenham, MA): A short commute from Lynn, this company is known for high-end residential and commercial work. They often post for licensed plumbers with 5+ years experience, offering higher-than-median pay for top talent.
6. Union Opportunities (Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12): The union hall in Dorchester serves Lynn. They dispatch plumbers to large-scale projects throughout the region, including new construction at the General Electric (GE) plant in Lynn and hospital expansions. Joining the union requires an apprenticeship but leads to the highest wages and benefits in the state.
7. Property Management Companies: Large Lynn landlords like Glen Management or The Kline Group employ in-house maintenance plumbers to handle issues across their portfolios of apartment buildings. This is a steady, salaried position with less overtime but consistent work.

Hiring Trend: There’s a growing demand for plumbers with cross-training in HVAC or gas-fitting. Companies are also increasingly seeking plumbers who can use modern diagnostic tools (like camera inspections) and are comfortable with the permitting process with the Lynn Inspectional Services Department.

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Getting Licensed in MA

Massachusetts has a strict, two-step licensing process managed by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gasfitters. You cannot legally work independently without a license.

1. Apprenticeship (4 Years): You must complete a state-approved apprenticeship program. This combines 8,000 hours of on-the-job training with 600 hours of classroom instruction. Apprentices earn a percentage of a journeyman’s wage (starting around 50%). The plumbing union (Local 12) runs the premier apprenticeship program, but there are non-union options through companies like Barton Associates or Wentworth.
2. Licensing Exam: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass a state exam. The exam covers the Massachusetts State Plumbing Code (based on the International Plumbing Code with MA amendments), as well as business and law. The exam fee is approximately $150 - $250.
3. Journeyman License: Once you pass, you become a licensed Journeyman Plumber. You can work for a company but cannot pull permits on your own.
4. Master Plumber License: To open your own business or pull permits, you need a Master Plumber license. This requires passing a more rigorous exam and having at least 5 years of experience as a journeyman. The exam fee is higher, around $400 - $500.

Timeline to Get Started: You can apply for an apprenticeship at any time. Most programs have a waiting list, so expect to start working as a helper/apprentice within 3-6 months of applying. The full journey to a Journeyman license is a 4-5 year commitment. For costs, beyond the exam fees, you’ll need to budget for tools (starter set: $500-$1,000) and textbooks (Massachusetts Plumbing Code: ~$150).

Insider Tip: The Lynn Inspectional Services Department is known for being strict. Plumbers new to the area should familiarize themselves with local amendments to the state code, especially regarding backflow prevention and work in the city’s historic districts.

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Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live in Lynn affects your commute, lifestyle, and budget. Here are four neighborhoods to consider, with estimated 1BR rent:

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	Estimated 1BR Rent	Best For
Downtown Lynn	Urban, walkable, close to City Hall, Lynn Station (Commuter Rail & Ferry). Mix of old and new housing.	$2,000 - $2,400	Plumbers who work downtown or commute to Boston via ferry. Younger, urban feel.
West Lynn	Residential, working-class, more affordable. Good access to Route 107 and I-95. Many single-family homes needing maintenance.	$1,600 - $1,900	Plumbers starting out or those looking to save on rent. Strong local job market for service calls.
Pine Hill	Quieter, more suburban feel on the Lynn-Swampscott line. Better-rated schools, single-family homes.	$1,800 - $2,200	Plumbers with families or those seeking a calmer environment. Commute to Salem is easy.
East Lynn (near Highland Ave)	Diverse, bustling, with many multi-family homes and apartments. Close to Lynn Hospital.	$1,700 - $2,100	Plumbers who want to be close to work (hospital, commercial jobs) and enjoy a vibrant, multicultural area.

Insider Tip: If you work on the North Shore (Salem, Peabody, Marblehead), living in Pine Hill or West Lynn offers the shortest, most predictable commute. Avoid living directly off the Lynnway (Route 1A) if you hate traffic congestion, especially during rush hour.

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The Long Game: Career Growth

In Lynn, your career trajectory is directly tied to specialization and licensure.

• Specialty Premiums: Plumbers with niche skills earn more.

  • Gas-Fitting (License): Adds $5-$10/hour to your rate. Critical for work on boilers, heating systems, and gas lines for kitchens. Required by law for gas work.
  • Medical Gas Certification: A premium skill for hospital and lab work. Can add a 10-15% wage premium.
  • Backflow Prevention: Certified testers are in high demand for commercial clients. Can lead to a steady stream of inspection side work.
  • Pipe-Threading & Welding: For industrial and commercial fabrication, these skills are highly valued.

• Advancement Paths:

  1. Service Technician: Start here, learn diagnostics, customer interaction. Move to Lead Tech.
  2. Project Foreman: Oversee crews on larger commercial/residential projects. Requires strong organizational skills.
  3. Estimator/Project Manager: Shift from field work to planning and bidding. Often requires a Master Plumber license.
  4. Business Owner: Open your own shop. This is the ultimate step, requiring capital and business acumen. The market in Lynn is competitive but there’s room for a reliable, customer-focused operation.

• 10-Year Outlook: The 6% job growth is solid. Demand will be driven by:

  • Aging Infrastructure: Lynn's pipes are old. Replacement and repair will be constant.
  • Green Energy Transition: Plumbers will be needed for heat pump installations (hydronic systems) and water conservation retrofits.
  • New Construction: While slower than during the boom, there are still opportunities, especially in multi-family conversions and commercial fit-outs.
  • Retirements: A wave of baby boomer plumbers is retiring, creating openings for licensed journeymen.

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The Verdict: Is Lynn Right for You?

Lynn offers a unique blend of opportunity and challenge. It’s a city for plumbers who are resilient, practical, and looking for a foothold in a high-demand region without the crushing costs of Boston.

Pros	Cons
Above-National-Average Salary ($65,554 median)	High Cost of Living (Index 111.6, Rent $2,064)
Strong, Steady Job Market (202 jobs, 6% growth)	Tight Budget on single median income
Proximity to Boston for premium union work	Traffic & Commute can be challenging
Diverse Housing Stock = constant repair demand	Old Infrastructure can mean more difficult, messy jobs
Strong Union Presence (Local 12) for top-tier wages	Competitive Market for apprenticeships and good jobs
Path to Homeownership (with strategy)	Requires a Car for most daily life

Final Recommendation: Lynn is an excellent choice for a mid-career plumber (3-10 years experience) who is licensed or close to it. It’s a place to build a stable career, earn good money, and potentially buy a home in a few years. For apprentices or entry-level plumbers, it’s a good target, but expect to start with a roommate or live slightly further out. For expert plumbers considering starting a business, Lynn’s dense population and aging buildings present a real opportunity, though competition is fierce. If you’re a single-income family at the median wage, you’ll need to budget carefully and likely work overtime to get ahead. For everyone else, it’s a solid, data-driven bet.

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FAQs

1. Do I need to be a licensed plumber to work in Lynn?
Yes. To perform plumbing work in Massachusetts, you must be a licensed Journeyman or Master Plumber. You can work as an apprentice under a licensed plumber, but you cannot take on independent jobs. The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gasfitters enforces this strictly.

2. Is the union (Local 12) worth it?
For most, yes. The union apprenticeship is the gold standard, with high-quality training and starting wages. Union journeymen earn significantly more ($75,000+ is common) and have excellent benefits (healthcare, pension). The trade-off is less flexibility. You must live within the jurisdiction (which includes Lynn) and work dispatch jobs, which can vary. Non-union shops offer more variety and potentially faster advancement to foreman roles but often at lower pay.

3. What’s the best way to find a job in Lynn?
Start with online postings on Indeed and LinkedIn, but the real goldmine is local. Call companies like A-1 Plumbing or Wentworth directly. Attend open houses at the North Shore Community College (which has a pre-apprenticeship program). Network at supply houses like Ferguson Enterprises in nearby Danvers. For union work, contact Plumbers & Gasfitters Local 12.

4. How does the cost of living compare to just 10 miles away in Boston?
It’s a game-changer. Boston’s cost of living index is ~150, and its median rent is over $2,800. A plumber earning $65,554 in Lynn has far more purchasing power than a plumber earning $70,000 in Boston. You sacrifice the walkability and amenities of the city for financial breathing room and a shorter commute to the North Shore.

5. Are there opportunities for side work?
Absolutely. Many licensed plumbers in Lynn take on side jobs. The key is to be legal: you must be a licensed Journeyman or Master, and for jobs over $500 in labor and materials, you