Plumber Salary - Northeast
High union density and established apprenticeship programs
Wage figures on this page reflect all plumbers counted by the BLS, across union and non-union work, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. The BLS does not publish a separate journey-level tier. State figures are medians: half of workers earn more, half earn less.
The Northeast has UA-represented plumbing and pipefitting markets. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island all pay significantly above the national median, driven by dense commercial construction, union density, and a high cost of doing business that pushes wages upward. Boston, Hartford, and Providence are commercial markets in the region with JATC programs.
UA locals represent commercial and industrial plumbing and pipefitting across the Northeast. Boston, Hartford, and Providence are unionized markets. Massachusetts carries a state median of $93,880. Vermont and Maine are smaller markets but maintain UA presence in their commercial sectors. Non-union residential work exists but major commercial and industrial projects are overwhelmingly UA jurisdiction.
Cost of living in the Northeast is high. Massachusetts carries a COL index of 147.8. Connecticut at 114.2 and Rhode Island at 111.2 are also above average. New Hampshire carries a COL index of 110.1. Maine at 114.6 is above average.
- →Life sciences and biotech facility construction in the Boston metro
- →Hospital and healthcare construction driving consistent high-value plumbing demand across Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island
- →Aging building infrastructure requiring pipe replacement and system upgrades across major Northeast metros
- →Data center and high-tech facility construction requiring complex mechanical and process piping systems
- →Offshore wind infrastructure development along the New England coast creating new industrial pipefitting demand
The Northeast is a destination for traveling journeymen, particularly Boston and Hartford. Massachusetts UA locals actively recruit travelers during peak construction cycles. Rhode Island and Connecticut are more accessible markets for travelers. Check RoadDog Jobs and Where2Bro for current openings.
Effective wage adjusts the BLS median for cost of living: what a paycheck buys relative to the national median.
| State | Median Annual | COL Index | Effective Wage |
|---|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts | $93,880 +$30,080 vs. national | 147.8 | $63,518 -$282 vs. national |
| Connecticut | $77,280 +$13,480 vs. national | 114.2 | $67,671 +$3,871 vs. national |
| Rhode Island | $76,470 +$12,670 vs. national | 111.2 | $68,768 +$4,968 vs. national |
| New Hampshire | $66,810 +$3,010 vs. national | 110.1 | $60,681 -$3,119 vs. national |
| Maine | $64,000 +$200 vs. national | 114.6 | $55,846 -$7,954 vs. national |
| Vermont | $62,170 -$1,630 vs. national | 113.0 | $55,018 -$8,782 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.