Plumber Salary

Andover vs Worcester: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Andover, MA and Worcester, MA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Andover, MA
$79,708
$38.32/hr
Worcester, MA
$84,333
$40.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAndover, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$79,708$84,333
Hourly Rate$38.32$40.55
Entry Level (P10)$57,312$50,091
25th Percentile$63,391$60,200
75th Percentile$102,027$108,794
Top Earner (P90)$123,548$123,003
Total Employed51,370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Andover ($79,708) and Worcester ($84,333) plumber salaries.AndoverWorcesterMedian Salary$79,708$84,333Entry Level (P10)$57,312$50,091Top Earner (P90)$123,548$123,003US Median $65,408

Verdict

Worcester, MA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Andover.

The salary gap between Andover and Worcester is $4,625 (5.80%). Worcester's median is +28.93% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Andover spans $66,236,Worcester spans $72,912. Worcester has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Andover
P10 (Entry)$57,312
P25$63,391
Median$79,708
P75$102,027
P90 (Top)$123,548
Worcester
P10 (Entry)$50,091
P25$60,200
Median$84,333
P75$108,794
P90 (Top)$123,003

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Worcester ($82,258 effective) pays 11.97% more than Andover ($73,464 effective).

Andover
Nominal: $79,708
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $73,464
Worcester
Nominal: $84,333
CoL Index: 102.523
Adjusted: $82,258

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Andover if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($123,548)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • Higher median salary ($84,333/year)
  • Larger job market (1,370 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $82,258)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Andover grew -7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.5% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Andover, MA

+-7.7%

$84,240 (2024) → $77,749 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+37.5%

$59,820 (2019) → $82,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Andover or Worcester?

Worcester has a higher median plumber salary at $84,333/year, compared to Andover at $79,708/year — a difference of $4,625 (5.80%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Andover and Worcester?

Andover plumbers earn $38.32/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $40.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Andover to Worcester as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Andover and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Andover = $73,464, Worcester = $82,258), job availability (5 vs 1,370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Andover vs Worcester?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $57,312 in Andover and $50,091 in Worcester. The Andover area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov