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5 steps · MA
Licensed Journeyman
Pass the state exam, work unsupervised, run small jobs.
Pay range
Typically $40–$70/hr in MA depending on trade. Union journeymen often $50–$80/hr with full benefits. Side work (with proper insurance) adds significantly.
Age requirement
Usually 21+ by the time you've completed apprenticeship hours.
What this job is
The honest version
Journeyman is the first license rung. After completing your apprenticeship hours, you sit for the Massachusetts state exam in your trade — Journeyman Electrician (Class B), Journeyman Plumber, Journeyman Sheet Metal, etc. Once you pass, you can work without direct supervision, sign off on your own work, and lead a small crew. This is where the pay jumps significantly and where you stop being someone else's helper.
Is this you?
You'll fit if…
- You can troubleshoot a problem nobody on site has seen before
- You can manage 1–3 apprentices or helpers without micromanaging
- You read code documents without your eyes glazing over
- You can talk to a homeowner or GC and not get walked over
What you'll do
Core skills
- Independently planning and executing a job from rough-in to final
- Pulling and closing out permits with the local building inspector
- Mentoring apprentices without slowing the job down
- Reading and citing the relevant MA code section in an inspection dispute
- Estimating labor + materials for a small job accurately
What you'll need
Required certifications
Stand out
Things that give you a leg up
- Specialty certs (low-voltage, fire alarm, medical gas, backflow prevention) — each opens a higher-paying niche
- Comfort with estimating software (QuickBooks, Buildertrend)
- A truck and basic stocked van setup
- A network of GCs who call you first
Take a step
Learn more
- Schedule your journeyman exam through the MA Division of Occupational Licensure as soon as your hours close out
- Buy the MA code book for your trade (electrical / plumbing / gas) and study the sections you use least
- Ask your foreman for one job to run end-to-end with their oversight
- Get a quote for liability insurance even before you need it
Heads up
Real talk before you commit
- The exam is harder than apprentices expect — most people study 100+ hours. Take a prep course (~$300–$600).
- Working unlicensed in MA carries real fines and can permanently block your license. Don't.
- Save for the next rung now — the contractor's license requires documented experience as a journeyman.