Journeyman railroad mechanical workers under SMART Local 139 in Boston, MA earn $33.60/hr in base wages, effective Jul 2024.
The Local 139 pay scale is $33.60 per hour for journeymen in Boston, MA, or about $67,200 a year at 2,080 hours. That is the rate in force, effective 7/1/24.
| Local 139 journeyman hourly wage | $33.60 / hour |
|---|---|
| Annualized at 2,080 hours (base wage) | $67,200 / year |
| First-period apprentice (≈45–50% of scale) | $15.12–$16.80 / hour |
| Wage sheet effective | 7/1/24 |
| Classification | Journeyman Sheet Metal Worker — Keolis/MBTA commuter rail agreement |
Apply now — Gulfstream places railroad mechanical workers candidates with mechanical contractors. These are direct-hire contractor roles, not union dispatch.
A Local 139 apprentice in Boston, MA starts at roughly $15.12 an hour — about 45% of the $33.60 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $25.20 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 139 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
| 1st period (year 1) | 45% of scale | $15.12 / hour | $30,240 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2nd period (year 2) | 55% of scale | $18.48 / hour | $36,960 |
| 3rd period (year 3) | 65% of scale | $21.84 / hour | $43,680 |
| 4th period (year 4) | 75% of scale | $25.20 / hour | $50,400 |
| 5th period (year 5) | 85% of scale | $28.56 / hour | $57,120 |
| Journeyman (turned out) | 100% of scale | $33.60 / hour | $67,200 |
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SMART Local 139 runs its own dispatch and out-of-work list. Gulfstream is a private recruiter and does not control hall referral.
SMART Local 139 does not post an online application we could verify; contact the hall by phone for dispatch or apprenticeship. To be considered for direct-hire roles with mechanical, electrical and sheet metal contractors in this area, apply to Gulfstream. This is not an application to the union.
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Local 139 wages: $33.60 an hour on the journeyman scale, effective 7/1/24. That is the most recent Boston, MA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
SMART Local 139's published wage determination does not break out fringes, so we show only the wage figures it prints.
Verified from official source: Keolis/MBTA tentative agreement with nine commuter rail unions (2024), rate effective 7/1/2024
Download the SMART Local 139 pay scale (PDF) — one-page printable rate sheet, effective July 1, 2024.
| Benefit & fringe contributions | Not published | The wage determination does not separate fringes for this local. |
|---|---|---|
| What the contributions fund | Health & welfare, pension, annuity, training and industry funds | Standard fund categories in mechanical and electrical agreements. The exact split between funds is set in the local's agreement — the hall or fund office publishes the schedule. |
| Paid on | Every hour worked | Fringe contributions are made per hour worked, so they scale with dispatched hours and are paid to the funds rather than to the member. |
The rates above are the SMART Local 139 scale used across the Boston, MA area. Members dispatched out of this hall work commercial construction and mechanical service and retrofit work for signatory contractors throughout the Boston metro, so a railroad mechanical workers wage quoted locally is normally this scale plus the fringe package shown in the table.
Gulfstream recruits railroad mechanical workers talent for commercial mechanical, plumbing, piping, sheet metal and building automation contractors in and around Boston. We are a private recruiting firm — we do not dispatch, set, or negotiate Local 139 rates. For current Boston scale, dispatch standing, or apprenticeship intake, contact the hall directly.
SMART Local 139 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall — contact the hall to confirm dispatch procedure and what to bring before traveling in. Contact details are imported from the UA, SMART and IBEW public directories. Gulfstream is a private recruiting firm, is not affiliated with the local, and does not control hall dispatch.
SMART Local 139 represents sheet metal workers across a specialized segment of the Massachusetts construction and fabrication market. Based in Boston, this local ensures that skilled tradespeople are trained to handle the complex demands of air handling, architectural cladding, and precision metal fabrication. The Boston market is characterized by dense urban infrastructure and a high concentration of institutional facilities, requiring a workforce capable of maintaining strict standards for air quality and structural integrity. Members of Local 139 are integral to the region's skyline, providing the technical expertise necessary for high-efficiency HVAC systems and custom metal work that defines the local architectural landscape.
The market demand for Local 139 members remains steady due to the constant lifecycle of renovation and new construction in the education and healthcare sectors. Signatory contractors rely on this union for a pipeline of vetted labor that has undergone rigorous safety and technical training. Because the sheet metal trade involves both shop fabrication and field installation, the union provides a dual-track value proposition for the regional economy. This ensures that projects are not only designed with precision but are installed by mechanics who understand the intricacies of Massachusetts building codes and the specific climatic challenges of the New England region.
The wage structure for SMART Local 139 is governed by a collective bargaining agreement that establishes a base hourly rate alongside a comprehensive fringe benefit package. While specific hourly figures are not publicly disclosed here, the total compensation package is designed to reflect the high cost of living and the technical skill required in the Boston metropolitan area. Apprentices typically begin their careers at a percentage of the journeyman rate, often starting around 40% to 50%. These rates increase in fixed intervals as the apprentice completes required classroom hours and hits specific on-the-job training milestones. Journeymen receive a full package that includes health insurance and retirement contributions, which significantly increases the effective hourly value beyond the base check amount. To obtain the current wage scale, contact the Local 139 business office directly.
The chartered jurisdiction for SMART Local 139 centers on the Greater Boston area, covering key urban hubs and surrounding suburban corridors. This territory requires members to be mobile, as dispatch can range from high-density downtown commercial sites to suburban industrial parks. The agreement covers a wide range of work, including the fabrication, assembly, and installation of all ductwork, commercial roofing components, and specialty stainless steel equipment. Jurisdiction also extends to testing, adjusting, and balancing (TAB) of environmental systems. Members must adhere to the dispatch rules established by the union hall, which ensures that labor is distributed efficiently across all active signatory projects within the Eastern Massachusetts region.
The contractor landscape for SMART Local 139 is composed of a diverse mix of large-scale mechanical primes and specialized fabrication shops. These signatory firms handle everything from massive ductwork installations in pharmaceutical laboratories to intricate copper work on historic Boston landmarks. The hiring environment is driven by the backlog of these signatory contractors, who utilize the union hall as their primary source for skilled manpower. Because the Boston market is highly competitive, these contractors prioritize workers with specialized certifications in welding, CAD/BIM coordination, and advanced rigging. This relationship ensures that contractors can scale their workforces quickly to meet project deadlines while maintaining a high standard of craftsmanship.
The apprenticeship program generally spans five years, combining paid on-the-job training with evening or block-week classroom instruction. This structured path ensures that by the time a member reaches journeyman status, they are proficient in all aspects of the trade, from reading blueprints to advanced plasma cutting and field installation techniques.
Travelers or members looking to transfer into Local 139 must contact the business agent to discuss current work volume and specific requirements. Reciprocity often depends on the current demand for labor in the Boston market and whether the individual possesses the specific certifications required by local signatory contractors.
Valuable certifications include AWS welding certs, OSHA 30 safety training, and specialized credentials in TAB or fire life safety. As the industry moves toward digital workflows, proficiency in BIM and Revit has also become a significant asset for members looking to work for major mechanical primes in the region.
Contractors interested in signing an agreement must contact the local's business office to discuss the terms of the collective bargaining agreement. Becoming signatory provides immediate access to a pool of highly trained sheet metal workers and the support of the SMART international network for large-capacity projects.
SMART Local 139 is seated in Boston, Massachusetts (MA). We hold published wage sheets for 12 locals across Massachusetts — compare nearby scales before you take a call.
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Journeyman scales as last published by each local. Rates change every contract cycle — confirm with the hall.
The Local 139 pay scale is $33.60 per hour for journeymen in Boston, MA, or about $67,200 a year at 2,080 hours. That is the rate in force, effective 7/1/24.
SMART Local 139 wages: journeyman Railroad Mechanical Workers rate of $33.60 per hour in Boston, MA, effective 7/1/24. Apprentices are paid a graduated percentage of that rate. Confirm any increase since 7/1/24 with the SMART Local 139 business office.
The SMART Local 139 wage sheet on this page lists the journeyman scale of $33.60 per hour, effective 7/1/24, plus the apprentice percentage steps. The official sheet is published by the SMART Local 139 business office; figures here come from that published schedule, so confirm any increase dated after 7/1/24 with the hall.
Local 139 apprentices earn a graduated percentage of the $33.60 per hour journeyman rate — typically starting near 40–50% ($15.12–$16.80 per hour) in the first period and stepping up each period to 100% at turnout. The exact percentage schedule is set by the SMART Local 139 JATC, so confirm the current apprentice sheet with the training center.
Journeyman railroad mechanical workers under the SMART Local 139 agreement make $33.60 an hour in base wages, per the wage sheet effective 7/1/24. Overtime, shift premiums, and travel or subsistence pay are added on top under the local's CBA.
$33.60 per hour base wage for a journeyman in Boston, MA, effective 7/1/24. Annualized at 2,080 hours that is roughly $67,200 before overtime.
A Local 139 apprentice in Boston, MA starts at roughly $15.12 an hour — about 45% of the $33.60 journeyman scale — and steps up each period, reaching around $25.20 an hour by the fourth year and full scale on turning out. These are the standard percentage steps of scale, not a wage sheet Local 139 has published; confirm the exact schedule with the JATC.
About $15.12 an hour, or roughly $30,240 a year at 2,080 hours, based on the standard 45% first-period step of the $33.60 journeyman rate effective 7/1/24. Apprentices also earn benefit contributions and paid classroom progression; the JATC sets the exact percentage.
Around $21.84 an hour at the standard 65% third-period step, moving to about $25.20 an hour in the fourth period and $33.60 an hour at full journeyman scale. Confirm the published step schedule with the Local 139 training center.
Local 139 wages: $33.60 an hour on the journeyman scale, effective 7/1/24. That is the most recent Boston, MA sheet we can source; rates move with each contract cycle, so confirm with the hall before quoting.
Yes — a one-page printable SMART Local 139 rate sheet is available at /rate-sheets/smart-local-139-pay-scale.pdf, showing the $33.60 hourly scale and the 7/1/24 effective date, with the source it was read from. It is a free download — no sign-up needed.
The current SMART Local 139 journeyman rate is $33.60/hour, effective 7/1/24. At 2,080 hours that works out to roughly $67,200 per year in base wages before overtime. Rates change with each CBA cycle — confirm with the Local 139 business office before relying on the figure.
Apprentices under the SMART Local 139 agreement are paid a graduated percentage of the journeyman rate, typically starting near 40–50% in the first period and stepping up each six-month or annual period until reaching 100% at turnout. Against the current $33.60/hour journeyman rate, a first-period apprentice would be in the $15.12–$16.80/hour range. The exact percentage schedule is set by the local's JATC.
SMART Local 139 is headquartered in Boston, MA and dispatches railroad mechanical workers manpower throughout its chartered jurisdiction. Work performed inside that territory falls under the local's collective bargaining agreement and wage schedule, even when the contractor is based elsewhere and travels in.
Most locals require applicants to be at least 18, legally able to work in the U.S., hold a high school diploma or GED, pass a basic math/aptitude assessment and a drug screen, and be physically able to perform railroad mechanical workers work. Some Local 139 programs give preference to applicants inside the jurisdiction or to veterans. Eligibility rules are set by the local's Joint Apprenticeship and Training Committee (JATC), so confirm the current criteria with the hall before applying.
Apprenticeship applications go through the SMART Local 139 JATC, not through a contractor or a recruiter. Applications typically open in defined intake windows each year: you submit the application with proof of age, education, and residency, sit for an aptitude test, and then interview. Ranked applicants are placed on an eligibility list and indentured as signatory contractors call for apprentices. Gulfstream Strategic Placements does not process apprenticeship applications — contact the Local 139 training center directly.
Railroad Mechanical Workers apprenticeships generally run four to five years — roughly 8,000–10,000 hours of on-the-job training plus several hundred classroom hours per year. Apprentices earn a paycheck the entire time, stepping up through the wage periods until they turn out as journeymen at 100% of scale.
Signatory contractors hire through the local's hiring hall, so working under the SMART Local 139 agreement generally means being a member or being organized in through the local's process. Journeymen from other locals can travel in by signing the out-of-work book, subject to the local's referral rules and manpower needs. Non-union railroad mechanical workers professionals are usually placed with open-shop contractors instead — we recruit for both.
Rates move with the collective bargaining agreement, typically on a fixed anniversary date each year of a three- to five-year contract, with negotiated increases split between the base wage and the fringe package. The figures on this page reflect the 7/1/24 schedule; check with the Local 139 business office for any increase that has taken effect since.
Wage rates vary widely by local and market. Use the Union Pay Scale Explorer to sort every UA and SMART local by hourly wage, total package, and annualized pay so you can benchmark Local 139 against neighboring jurisdictions and other railroad mechanical workers markets.
Yes — the openings section on this page lists current railroad mechanical workers roles near Boston, MA, and you can apply directly through the apply form on this page. These are direct-hire positions with mechanical contractors that Gulfstream recruits for, not union dispatch or hall referrals. For the hall's out-of-work list, contact the Local 139 business office.
The SMART Local 139 hall is at 216 Manthorne Road West Roxbury MA 02132, serving Boston, MA and the surrounding jurisdiction.
SMART Local 139 runs its own referral procedure and books are signed at the hall. Contact the hall to confirm dispatch hours, required documents (union card, certifications, ID) and current list standing before traveling in — Gulfstream does not control hall dispatch.
SMART Local 139 does not publish a phone number in the directory data we import; check the local's official site for current contact details.
Apply through the local's joint apprenticeship training committee (JATC). Most programs open applications on a set schedule and require an aptitude test and interview. For SMART Local 139's current application window and requirements, contact the hall directly.
Each Railroad Mechanical Workers local sets its own intake process, and it varies. The common paths: apprenticeship through the JATC; organizing in as an experienced worker, since journeymen and technicians already working in the trade can usually apply directly to the hall for membership; or transferring from another local of the same international with a transfer card from your current hall. For fees and requirements, contact the hall directly.
We haven't found an official source for SMART Local 139's dues or membership rules. To confirm, contact the hall directly.
We haven't found an official source for SMART Local 139's member benefits. To confirm, contact the hall directly.
SMART Local 139's sourced journeyman sheet metal worker — keolis/mbta commuter rail agreement union rate is $33.60/hr in base wages, effective July 1, 2024. The rate applies to the listed classification and source area; apprentice, foreman and specialty classifications may differ.
$33.60/hr in base wages for journeyman sheet metal worker — keolis/mbta commuter rail agreement, effective July 1, 2024 per the Keolis/MBTA tentative agreement with nine commuter rail unions (2024), rate effective 7/1/2024 wage determination.
July 1, 2024. The negotiated rate on this primary source (Keolis/MBTA tentative agreement with nine commuter rail unions (2024), rate effective 7/1/2024) is dated more than 18 months back, so a mid-term raise may already be in effect. Confirm the current step with the local's business office before extending an offer.
The published wage determination for this local prints wages without a separate fringe line, so we do not show a benefit figure. The hall's fund office can provide the contribution schedule.
No. Gulfstream Strategic Placements is a private mechanical construction recruiting firm. We are not affiliated with the local, we do not run dispatch, and we do not set or negotiate union rates. We publish the local's own sourced figures as a reference for members and contractors.
Moderate confidence — last cross-checked against the source on Oct 11, 2026 (8 days ago). Always confirm the current step with the hall before relying on it for an offer.