Entry-Level Plumber Salary in Haverhill, MA: $56,795 (2026)
Quick Answer:New plumbers entering the Haverhill, MA job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $56,795 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2152, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Haverhill's local price level (BEA RPP 108.5 — 9% above national), a first-year paycheck buys what $52,346 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($84,440) within a few years of clinical practice.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those entering the plumbing profession in Haverhill, Massachusetts can expect to see starting salaries around $56,795. This baseline sets a foundation that, while humble compared to the city’s median annual salary of $84,440, offers a clear growth trajectory for new plumbers. Over the first few years, as apprentices move into higher wage brackets, they have the potential to climb to around $64,825, making substantial advances as they gain experience and skills. For recent graduates, entering this market, especially with local demand for plumbing services driven by an aging infrastructure and a workforce that is steadily retiring, offers promising prospects. Haverhill remains a viable city for new grad plumber pay in MA, allowing newcomers to build a career with stability and growth.
About the Haverhill Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Career Earnings Timeline in Haverhill
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Haverhill
Entry-level plumbers in Haverhill, MA typically start between $56,795 and $64,825 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $74,086 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $84,440 — 29.1% above the national median.
Return on Investment
The average plumbing program cost in Massachusetts of $18,000 represents just 31.69% of the starting plumber pay ($56,795/year) in Haverhill. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect apprenticeship-based training (primarily paid OJT) with union dues, tools, books, and related technical instruction fees. Non-union/trade school pathways cost more. Actual costs vary by local UA chapter and state licensing requirements.
Plumber Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Haverhill
- 1Research the Haverhill market: entry-level plumber pay ranges from $56,795 to $64,825, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the plumbing field — employers in MA often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Haverhill, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Haverhill for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Haverhill's moderate cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Plumber Compensation Range
The plumber wage spread in Haverhill is $74,086 ( 130.44%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $56,795, experienced hygienists can earn up to $130,881.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$41,019
2025 BLS Actual
$55,399
2026 Current Est.
$56,795
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Haverhill (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,019 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,985 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,051 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,741 | Actual |
| 2023 | $48,548 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,906 | Actual |
| 2025 | $55,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $56,795 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,226 | Projected |
Entry-level plumber compensation (10th percentile) in Haverhill, MA grew 35.1% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $41,019 in 2019 to $55,399 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $58,226. New graduates entering the Haverhill job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Haverhill metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Starting Your plumbing Career in Haverhill
Employers in Haverhill hiring entry-level plumbers include United Association (UA) local apprenticeship programs, which offer formal training through a structured application process and skills testing that spans 4-5 years. Non-union contractors typically provide on-the-job training, allowing new hires to gain practical skills from experienced workers. Larger service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS often seek licensed journeymen, who may begin as apprentices with commission-based pay models that can lead to variable income depending on job performance. For those looking to elevate their earning potential, obtaining credentials such as a journeyman plumbing license—following a 5,000-10,000 hour apprenticeship—or specializing in high-demand areas like medical gas installation can be beneficial. The first three years are critical for establishing a reputation and gaining experience; as plumbers progress, they can realistically expect to see their pay increase steadily, particularly in specialized fields that address the growing sector needs driven by aging systems and infrastructure.
More salary data for Haverhill, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP
Career Analyst
Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.
Methodology & Data Source
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new plumbing graduates. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Haverhill. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Haverhill is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov