Plumber Salary - Mid-Atlantic
Major metro markets drive some of the highest wages in the country
Wage figures reflect all plumbers across all employment types -- union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the state median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it. State figures are averages -- wages vary significantly between metro and rural markets within the same state. City-level data coming soon.
The Mid-Atlantic is the highest-paying region on the East Coast for plumbers and pipefitters, driven by the New York City, New Jersey, and DC metro markets. DC leads the region with a median of $101,020 -- one of the highest state-level medians in the country -- driven by the density of federal and commercial construction in the metro area. New Jersey at $78,240 and New York at $77,490 reflect the influence of NYC union scale rates.
UA locals dominate the Mid-Atlantic commercial and industrial markets. New York City's UA locals -- the plumbers and steamfitters -- are among the most powerful and highest-paying in North America. New Jersey UA locals benefit from proximity to the NYC market. DC and Maryland are heavily unionized on the commercial side with strong federal construction work. Philadelphia's UA locals cover a large jurisdiction across eastern Pennsylvania. Outside the major metros union density drops considerably.
Cost of living in the Mid-Atlantic is the highest on the East Coast. DC at 134.3 COL and New York at 124.7 are among the most expensive markets in the country. New Jersey at 118.8 and Maryland at 121.1 reflect the influence of the NYC and DC housing markets. Delaware at 101.7 and Pennsylvania at 96.2 are the relative value plays in the region -- wages are solid and cost of living is near or below the national average. The wage premium in NYC and DC is real but housing costs are extreme.
- →Federal government facility construction and renovation across the DC metro area -- consistent high-value mechanical work
- →Financial services and commercial office construction in New York City driving sustained demand for commercial plumbing
- →Data center construction across northern Virginia and Maryland requiring complex mechanical systems
- →Life sciences and pharmaceutical facility construction in New Jersey's Route 1 corridor
- →Transit infrastructure projects across the NYC and DC metro systems requiring mechanical system work
The Mid-Atlantic offers some of the highest wages in the country for traveling journeymen but is one of the more difficult regions to break into. NYC UA locals have strict reciprocity requirements -- verify local agreements before making the trip. New Jersey and DC are more accessible markets for travelers. Northern Virginia has seen significant mechanical contractor activity driven by data center construction. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings before committing to the region.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living -- what your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia | $101,020 +$37,220 vs. national | 134.3 | $75,220 +$11,420 vs. national |
| New Jersey | $78,240 +$14,440 vs. national | 118.8 | $65,859 +$2,059 vs. national |
| New York | $77,490 +$13,690 vs. national | 124.7 | $62,141 $-1,659 vs. national |
| Pennsylvania | $68,080 +$4,280 vs. national | 96.2 | $70,769 +$6,969 vs. national |
| Maryland | $65,400 +$1,600 vs. national | 121.1 | $54,005 $-9,795 vs. national |
| Delaware | $64,720 +$920 vs. national | 101.7 | $63,638 $-162 vs. national |
Wage data: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - Plumbers - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.