HVAC & Pipefitter Salary in Boston
Metro area wage data for hvac and refrigeration mechanics from the BLS OEWS program, May 2025.
Wage figures reflect all hvac & pipefitters across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the area median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it.
UA Local 537 and Massachusetts prevailing wage anchor the Boston pipefitter market.
The Boston metro's pipefitter market runs through UA Local 537, a 3,000+ member local distinct from UA Local 12 which covers plumbers. Massachusetts prevailing wage law covers public projects, and the region's concentration of biotech, life sciences lab construction, and dense urban commercial work sustains above-average demand.
- →UA Local 537 — 3,000+ members, covers pipefitting, welding, and HVAC-R
- →Massachusetts Prevailing Wage Law on public projects
- →Biotech and life sciences construction sustains specialty demand
UA Local 537 journeyman pipefitter Journey-Level Rate
Union scale reflects the UA Local 537 journeyman pipefitter journey-level rate under the current collective bargaining agreement. The BLS area median reflects all hvac & pipefitters across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Pipefitters Local 537 Training Center |
| Address | 40 Enterprise Street, Dorchester, MA 02125 |
| Phone | (617) 825-3777 |
| Minimum Score | No minimum |
| Application Window | Annual. 2026 application period was January 5–29, in person only. Check pipefitters537.org for next cycle. |
Applying to UA Local 537?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UA Local 537. See what to expect and how to prepare.
What to expect →All hvac & pipefitters — union and non-union, all experience levels
All hvac & pipefitters — union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.
| Annual Median Wage | $78,530 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $79,890 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $37.75 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $38.41 |
| Total Employed | 6,050 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates sourced directly from local collective bargaining agreements across the country's major construction markets. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 49-9021 (HVAC and Refrigeration Mechanics) - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
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