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5 steps · MA
Plumber's Helper / Laborer
Carry pipe, dig trenches, hand tools to a licensed plumber — get paid to learn.
Pay range
$17–$22/hr in MA. Union locals (UA Local 12 in Boston, Local 4 in Roslindale, Local 138 in Worcester) often pay the high end with benefits.
What this job is
The honest version
You don't need a license to work as a helper or laborer on a plumbing crew in MA — you just can't do licensed work yourself (joining pipe, installing fixtures, anything pressurized). Helpers fetch material from the truck, dig and backfill trenches, sweep job sites, hold pipe steady, run errands to the supply house, and protect customers' floors and walls. The point of this rung is to find out if you actually like the work — wet basements, crawl spaces, early mornings, problem-solving — before you commit to a 4–5 year apprenticeship.
Is this you?
You'll fit if…
- You'd rather move all day than sit at a desk
- You're comfortable in tight, dirty spaces (basements, crawl spaces, under sinks)
- You take direction well and ask smart questions
- You show up on time, every time
What you'll do
Core skills
- Identifying common pipe types (copper, PEX, PVC, cast iron) by sight
- Reading a tape measure and basic blueprints
- Trenching, backfilling, and protecting work areas
- Loading and unloading a service van without breaking fittings
- Job site safety and OSHA basics
What you'll need
Required certifications
No certifications required at this rung.
Stand out
Things that give you a leg up
- OSHA 10-Hour Construction card (~$60 online, 2 evenings)
- A vocational high school plumbing track or shop class
- Comfort with hand and power tools from any prior trade work
- Bilingual (Spanish, Portuguese, Haitian Creole) — huge in MA shops
- A reliable vehicle to get to scattered job sites
Take a step
Learn more
- Get your OSHA 10-Hour card online — it's the universal first credential
- Walk into 3 plumbing shops in your area (look up 'plumber' on Google Maps) and ask if they need a helper
- Call UA Local 12 (Boston), Local 4 (Roslindale), or Local 138 (Worcester) about apprentice intake schedules
- Buy a basic tool roll: tape measure, channel locks, pipe wrench, multi-bit screwdriver
Heads up
Real talk before you commit
- Helper pay is the lowest in the trade — the value is the experience and getting your foot in the door for an apprenticeship.
- You CANNOT solder, glue, or install pressurized fittings without an apprentice license. Shops get fined when helpers do licensed work.
- MA winters mean frozen pipe calls, flooded basements, and snowy trenches. Layer up.