Plumber in Quincy, MA

The Salary Picture: Where Quincy Stands

As a plumber considering Quincy, you're looking at a market where demand is steady and the compensation is competitive, especially for the region. The South Shore and Greater Boston area have a constant need for skilled tradespeople, driven by a mix of aging residential infrastructure, ongoing commercial development, and the renovation fever that sweeps through historic neighborhoods.

Let's get straight to the numbers. The median salary for a plumber in Quincy is $65,554 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $31.52 per hour. This is a solid baseline, sitting slightly above the national average of $63,350 per year. While the difference isn't massive, it's significant when you factor in the local economy. In a metro area with 203 plumbing jobs, there's a tangible market for your skills. The 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, which is steady and indicates long-term stability rather than a volatile boom-and-bust cycle.

To understand where you fit in, let's break down the salary expectations by experience level. This is based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and local job postings, adjusted for the Quincy market.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Hourly Equivalent	Key Responsibilities
Entry-Level (1-2 years)	$45,000 - $55,000	$21.63 - $26.44	Basic pipe installation, drain cleaning, assisting senior plumbers, learning local codes.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$60,000 - $75,000	$28.85 - $36.05	Independent service calls, complex repairs, water heater installations, interpreting blueprints.
Senior (8-15 years)	$70,000 - $90,000+	$33.65 - $43.27+	Project management, mentoring apprentices, specialized systems (medical gas, backflow).
Expert/Lead (15+ years)	$85,000 - $110,000+	$40.87 - $52.88+	Business development, master plumbing licensing, large-scale commercial bidding.

Insider Tip: The median of $65,554 often represents a mid-level plumber with a few years of experience who is not yet in a supervisory role. If you're moving with a Massachusetts Journeyman license, you can typically command a wage at the higher end of the mid-level range or even break into the senior tier immediately, depending on the employer.

Comparison to Other MA Cities:

• Boston: Salaries are higher (median ~$72k) but cost of living is significantly more extreme. The commute from Quincy is easy via the Red Line or commuter rail, so many plumbers live here for affordability.
• Worcester: Median salary is closer to $63,000, but the cost of living is lower. Quincy offers a better balance of city amenities and coastal access.
• Springfield: Salaries trend lower (~$61k), and the job market is smaller. Quincy is part of the robust Boston metro economy.
• Brockton: A neighboring South Shore city, Brockton's plumbing salaries are similar (~$64k), but Quincy has more diverse housing stock and better transit links to Boston.

For a plumber, Quincy hits a sweet spot: urban-suburban demand without the punishing price tag of downtown Boston.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's talk about what $65,554 a year actually means for your daily life in Quincy. We'll use the median plumber's salary and the local cost data to build a realistic monthly budget.

Annual Salary: $65,554

• Monthly Gross Income: $5,462
• Estimated Monthly Taxes (MA & Federal): ~ $1,250 (This is an estimate for a single filer; withholdings can vary.)
• Estimated Monthly Take-Home Pay: ~$4,212

Now, let's layer in the major expense: rent. The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Quincy is $2,377 per month. This is a significant chunk of your take-home pay (~56%).

Sample Monthly Budget for a Plumber Earning $65,554:

Category	Estimated Cost	Notes
Rent (1BR Average)	$2,377	A realistic median. You can find cheaper in older buildings or shared units.
Utilities (Gas, Electric, Internet)	$200 - $300	Older buildings can be drafty; budget for higher heating costs in winter.
Groceries & Household	$400 - $500	Quincy has great markets like Wegmans and Stop & Shop.
Transportation	$150 - $250	MBTA monthly pass ($90) + occasional gas if you have a work truck.
Health Insurance & Personal Care	$300 - $500	Varies if you have a union plan or employer coverage.
Discretionary/Savings	$335 - $885	This is your tightest margin.
Total	$3,762 - $4,212	Leaves little room for major savings or debt payments.

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Short answer: It's challenging on a single median plumber's salary. The median home price in Quincy is over $650,000. With a $2,377 rent, saving for a 20% down payment ($130,000) would take decades. However, there are paths:

• Dual Income: Combining your salary with a partner's makes homeownership much more feasible.
• First-Time Homebuyer Programs: MassHousing and other state programs offer down payment assistance and lower interest rates for qualified buyers.
• Condos & Townhomes: More affordable single-family alternatives in Quincy, often in the $350k-$500k range.
• Long-Term Strategy: Many tradespeople build equity by eventually purchasing a multi-family property (triplex, etc.), living in one unit, and renting the others. Quincy's zoning allows this in many neighborhoods.

Insider Tip: Your take-home pay can be significantly higher if you join a union (like UA Local 12). Union plumbers often have higher base wages, excellent benefits (reducing your out-of-pocket costs), and a pension. The median might be $65,554, but a union journeyman can easily clear $80k+ with overtime.

Where the Jobs Are: Quincy's Major Employers

Quincy's plumbing job market is a mix of large union contractors, family-owned shops, and facilities that employ in-house technicians. Here are the key players:

1. Quincy Public Schools: The city's school district maintains several large facilities, including North Quincy High and Quincy High. They employ in-house maintenance plumbers for routine work and capital projects. Hiring Trend: Stable, with openings often posted on the City of Quincy website. Preference is given to licensed plumbers.
2. Boston Medical Center (BMC) - South Shore Campus: While not a massive hospital, this facility on Hancock Street and the nearby Wollaston area has a steady need for facilities plumbers, especially for medical gas and specialized systems. Hiring Trend: Moderate growth; BMC is expanding its South Shore footprint.
3. Local Union Contractors (UA Local 12): This is the biggest source of high-wage jobs. Companies like Nelligan (based in nearby Weymouth), A. B. MacLean, and Western Mechanical frequently bid on large projects in Quincy (e.g., new apartments at Marina Bay, renovations at the Thomas Crane Library). Hiring Trend: Strong, especially for journeymen with OSHA 30 and backflow certification. Union halls post jobs daily.
4. Facilities Management Companies: Companies like ABM (formerly AlliedBarton) and Cushman & Wakefield provide contract services for Quincy's many office parks and commercial buildings (e.g., around the South Shore Center). They hire licensed plumbers for building maintenance. Hiring Trend: Growing, as more companies outsource facilities maintenance.
5. Quincy City Hall & DPW: The Department of Public Works handles municipal water and sewer lines. They employ a crew of licensed plumbers and pipefitters. Hiring Trend: Stable but competitive. Jobs are posted on the city's official job board and require civil service exams.
6. Local Plumbing & Heating Companies: A staple of the South Shore. Firms like Cape Cod Plumbing & Heating (serving Quincy), James A. MacLean Plumbing, and M. D. Brown Plumbing & Heating are always looking for qualified help, especially during peak seasons. Hiring Trend: High demand for service technicians, especially those with good customer service skills.
7. Quincy College (Facilities): The campus requires consistent plumbing maintenance for its classrooms, labs, and student centers. Hiring Trend: Steady, with occasional openings when staff retire.

Insider Tip: The best jobs are often never posted publicly. Network, network, network. Go to a UA Local 12 meeting (they're open to visitors), connect with plumbers at local supply houses like F.W. Webb in South Boston (a short drive), and let people know you're looking. In Quincy's tight-knit trades community, a personal referral is worth its weight in gold.

Getting Licensed in MA

Massachusetts has a strict, structured path to becoming a plumber. The process is overseen by the Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters.

Step-by-Step Process:

1. Apprenticeship (4 years): This is the most common path. You must be registered with the state and work under a licensed master plumber/journeyman. Apprenticeship programs are often run through unions (UA Local 12) or state-approved programs. You'll log 8,000 hours of on-the-job training and complete 150 hours of classroom education per year.
2. Journeyman Exam: After completing your apprenticeship, you must pass the state Journeyman Plumber's exam. It's a comprehensive test on the Massachusetts Fuel Gas Code, Plumbing Code, and state regulations.
3. Licensing: Once you pass, you can apply for your Journeyman License. The fee is $150 (subject to change).
4. Master Plumber License: To own a business or supervise others, you need a Master License. This requires 2 years of experience as a licensed journeyman and passing another state exam.

Timeline to Get Started:

• Immediately: You can start as a helper or apprentice. You don't need a license to begin, but you must be registered.
• 4 Years: To become a licensed journeyman.
• 6+ Years: To become a master plumber and open your own shop.

Costs:

• Apprenticeship Tuition: Often free if union-sponsored (funded by contractors). Non-union programs can cost $2,000 - $5,000 over the 4 years.
• Exam Fees: $250 for the journeyman exam (current fee).
• Licensing Fee: $150 for the journeyman license.
• Total Upfront Cost: $0 - $5,400 (heavily dependent on your path).

Key Resource: The Massachusetts Board of State Examiners of Plumbers and Gas Fitters website is your official source for exam dates, code books, and applications. Insider Tip: Invest in the official code books (Massachusetts Fuel Gas Code, Plumbing Code) from the start. They are your study bible.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Quincy is a city of distinct neighborhoods, each with a different vibe and rental price. Your choice will depend on your commute, lifestyle, and budget.

Neighborhood	Vibe & Commute	1BR Rent Estimate (per month)	Why It's Good for a Plumber
Adams Shore	Quiet, residential, family-oriented. Good access to I-93.	$2,100 - $2,500	Lower traffic for driving to job sites. Close to the South Shore and Boston. Older homes need constant maintenance.
Wollaston	Classic suburb with a beach. MBTA Red Line station.	$2,300 - $2,700	Easy commute to Boston. Beach is a great lifestyle perk. Mix of single-family and apartment buildings.
Quincy Center	Urban, bustling, near City Hall and the T.	$2,400 - $2,800	Heart of the action. Walkable to everything. High density means more potential service calls.
Marina Bay	Modern, waterfront, trendy. High-rise apartments.	$2,600 - $3,200+	Most expensive. New construction means fewer immediate plumbing issues, but high-end systems offer specialty work.
North Quincy	Diverse, vibrant, student-heavy (near Quincy College).	$2,200 - $2,600	More affordable, great food scene. Strong rental market. Close to the Red Line and jobs in the commercial corridor.

Insider Tip: If you have a work truck, parking is a headache in Quincy Center and Marina Bay. Look for neighborhoods with driveways or paid garages. Wollaston and Adams Shore are more car-friendly.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A plumber in Quincy isn't just a job; it's a career with multiple trajectories. The median salary of $65,554 is a launchpad, not a ceiling.

Specialty Premiums:

• Backflow Prevention: Certification can add $3-$5/hour. Many commercial buildings require annual testing.
• Medical Gas: Working in hospitals/clinics (like BMC) can command a premium of 10-15% above standard wages.
• Green Energy/Geothermal: This emerging field is growing in Massachusetts. Specializing in hydronic and geothermal systems can set you apart.
• Gasfitting: Combining plumbing and gas fitting licenses (MA often bundles them) makes you infinitely more valuable, especially for heating system work.

Advancement Paths:

1. Service Technician → Service Manager: Move from fixing pipes to managing a team and customer relationships. Can reach $80k-$100k.
2. Journeyman → Estimator/Project Manager: Work for a contractor bidding on large residential or commercial projects. Salary can exceed $90k.
3. Journeyman → Master Plumber → Business Owner: The ultimate goal. A successful plumbing business in the Boston area can generate $150k+ in personal income, but carries significant risk and overhead.

10-Year Outlook:
With 6% projected job growth, the market is stable. The key drivers will be:

• An aging housing stock: Quincy's homes are old and need constant upkeep.
• Water quality & efficiency: Massachusetts has strict water conservation laws, driving demand for modern, efficient fixtures and pipe replacements.
• Renewable energy incentives: State rebates for heat pumps and hybrid water heaters will create installation and service work.

Insider Tip: The most successful plumbers I know in Quincy are those who never stop learning. Attend free workshops at Quincy College or Bristol Community College (in Fall River, a short drive). Get certified in new technologies. The plumber who can install a smart water heater or a water filtration system is the one who gets the call.

The Verdict: Is Quincy Right for You?

Quincy is a compelling choice for plumbers seeking a balance between city opportunities and suburban stability. It's not the easiest city to live in on a single income, but with smart budgeting and career progression, it's very doable.

Pros	Cons
Stable, Growing Job Market: 203 jobs and 6% growth.	High Cost of Living: Rent and home prices are steep relative to the median salary.
Competitive Wages: $65,554 median is above national average.	Traffic & Parking: Can be challenging, especially near the T and commercial areas.
Excellent Transit Access: Red Line, commuter rail, and highways connect to entire region.	Old Infrastructure: While good for work, it means dealing with inefficient, sometimes problematic systems.
Diverse Neighborhoods: You can choose your lifestyle, from beachy (Wollaston) to urban (Center).	Winter Work: Outdoor work can be limited during harsh New England winters.
Strong Union Presence: Path to higher wages and benefits via UA Local 12.	Competition: Skilled plumbers are in demand, but the best jobs are competitive.

Final Recommendation:
YES, Quincy is a strong choice for an ambitious plumber. If you are a journeyman or a soon-to-be journeyman, the market is ripe. The key is to live within your means—consider a roommate, look in North Quincy or Adams Shore, and leverage the transit system. Focus on getting your MA license and joining the union or a reputable contractor. The path to earning well above the median—$80k, $90k, or even six figures as a business owner—is clear and achievable here. Quincy gives you the platform to build a solid, prosperous career in the trades.

FAQs

1. How does the cost of living in Quincy compare to the national average?
Quincy's