Plumber Salary - Northeast
High union density, strong wages, competitive apprenticeship programs
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 Northeast is one of the strongest UA markets in the country for plumbers and pipefitters. Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island all pay significantly above the national median, driven by dense commercial construction, strong union density, and a high cost of doing business that pushes wages upward. Boston, Hartford, and Providence are the dominant commercial markets in the region with some of the most active JATC programs in the country.
UA locals dominate commercial and industrial plumbing and pipefitting across the Northeast. Boston, Hartford, and Providence are heavily unionized markets. Massachusetts UA locals pay some of the highest scale rates in the country -- the state median of $93,880 reflects strong union market share in commercial work. Vermont and Maine are smaller markets but maintain solid 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 relative to plumber wages. Massachusetts at 147.8 COL is the second most expensive state in the country -- the wage premium is real but housing costs are extreme. Connecticut at 114.2 and Rhode Island at 111.2 are also above average. New Hampshire at 110.1 offers the best value in the region. Maine at 114.6 is above average but rural markets offer more affordable living than the coastal metros.
- →Life sciences and biotech facility construction in the Boston metro -- one of the most active commercial construction markets in the country for mechanical work
- →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 top destination for traveling journeymen, particularly Boston and Hartford. Massachusetts UA locals pay some of the highest scale rates in North America and 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 your paycheck actually buys relative to the national average.
| 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.