Plumber Salary

Atlantic City vs Princeton: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Atlantic City, NJ and Princeton, NJ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Atlantic City, NJ
$65,838
$31.65/hr
Princeton, NJ
$79,841
$38.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJPrinceton, NJ
Median Salary$65,838$79,841
Hourly Rate$31.65$38.38
Entry Level (P10)$46,165$56,585
25th Percentile$57,739$62,889
75th Percentile$80,140$102,196
Top Earner (P90)$114,597$123,753
Total Employed5306
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($65,838) and Princeton ($79,841) plumber salaries.Atlantic CityPrincetonMedian Salary$65,838$79,841Entry Level (P10)$46,165$56,585Top Earner (P90)$114,597$123,753US Median $65,408

Verdict

Princeton, NJ offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Atlantic City.

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Princeton is $14,003 (21.27%). Princeton's median is +22.07% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Atlantic City spans $68,432,Princeton spans $67,168. Atlantic City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Atlantic City
P10 (Entry)$46,165
P25$57,739
Median$65,838
P75$80,140
P90 (Top)$114,597
Princeton
P10 (Entry)$56,585
P25$62,889
Median$79,841
P75$102,196
P90 (Top)$123,753

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Princeton ($69,306 effective) pays 4.06% more than Atlantic City ($66,599 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $65,838
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $66,599
Princeton
Nominal: $79,841
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $69,306

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Atlantic City if…

  • Larger job market (530 employed)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Princeton if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,841/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($123,753)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,306)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Atlantic City grew 2.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -16.7% growth in Princeton over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+2.6%

$62,590 (2019) → $64,220 (2025)

Princeton, NJ

+-16.7%

$93,452 (2024) → $77,878 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Atlantic City or Princeton?

Princeton has a higher median plumber salary at $79,841/year, compared to Atlantic City at $65,838/year — a difference of $14,003 (21.27%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Atlantic City and Princeton?

Atlantic City plumbers earn $31.65/hr while Princeton hygienists earn $38.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Atlantic City to Princeton as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Princeton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $66,599, Princeton = $69,306), job availability (530 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Atlantic City vs Princeton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $46,165 in Atlantic City and $56,585 in Princeton. The Princeton area offers higher starting salaries.
ST

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