Plumber Salary

Atlantic City vs Union City: Plumber Salary (2026)

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

Atlantic City, NJ
$65,838
$31.65/hr
Union City, NJ
$74,314
$35.73/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAtlantic City, NJUnion City, NJ
Median Salary$65,838$74,314
Hourly Rate$31.65$35.73
Entry Level (P10)$46,165$54,218
25th Percentile$57,739$59,998
75th Percentile$80,140$95,121
Top Earner (P90)$114,597$115,186
Total Employed53017
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Atlantic City ($65,838) and Union City ($74,314) plumber salaries.Atlantic CityUnion CityMedian Salary$65,838$74,314Entry Level (P10)$46,165$54,218Top Earner (P90)$114,597$115,186US Median $65,408

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Atlantic City and Union City is $8,476 (12.87%). Union City's median is +13.62% 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,Union City spans $60,968. 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
Union City
P10 (Entry)$54,218
P25$59,998
Median$74,314
P75$95,121
P90 (Top)$115,186

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Atlantic City ($66,599 effective) pays 3.24% more than Union City ($64,509 effective).

Atlantic City
Nominal: $65,838
CoL Index: 98.857
Adjusted: $66,599
Union City
Nominal: $74,314
CoL Index: 115.2
Adjusted: $64,509

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)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,599)
  • You prefer the New Jersey area and lifestyle

Choose Union City if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,314/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($115,186)
  • 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 -22.2% growth in Union City over the same period.

Atlantic City, NJ

+2.6%

$62,590 (2019) → $64,220 (2025)

Union City, NJ

+-22.2%

$93,164 (2024) → $72,487 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Atlantic City or Union City?

Union City has a higher median plumber salary at $74,314/year, compared to Atlantic City at $65,838/year — a difference of $8,476 (12.87%).

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

Atlantic City plumbers earn $31.65/hr while Union City hygienists earn $35.73/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Atlantic City and Union City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Atlantic City = $66,599, Union City = $64,509), job availability (530 vs 17 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $46,165 in Atlantic City and $54,218 in Union City. The Union City area offers higher starting salaries.
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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