Plumber Salary

Hagerstown vs Wheaton: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Hagerstown, MD and Wheaton, MD. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Hagerstown, MD
$56,519
$27.17/hr
Wheaton, MD
$71,480
$34.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHagerstown, MDWheaton, MD
Median Salary$56,519$71,480
Hourly Rate$27.17$34.36
Entry Level (P10)$38,476$48,005
25th Percentile$47,046$54,602
75th Percentile$69,652$91,494
Top Earner (P90)$90,095$110,794
Total Employed25011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Hagerstown ($56,519) and Wheaton ($71,480) plumber salaries.HagerstownWheatonMedian Salary$56,519$71,480Entry Level (P10)$38,476$48,005Top Earner (P90)$90,095$110,794US Median $65,408

Verdict

Wheaton, MD offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Hagerstown.

The salary gap between Hagerstown and Wheaton is $14,961 (26.47%). Wheaton's median is +9.28% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Hagerstown spans $51,619,Wheaton spans $62,789. Wheaton has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Hagerstown
P10 (Entry)$38,476
P25$47,046
Median$56,519
P75$69,652
P90 (Top)$90,095
Wheaton
P10 (Entry)$48,005
P25$54,602
Median$71,480
P75$91,494
P90 (Top)$110,794

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Wheaton ($65,398 effective) pays 8.97% more than Hagerstown ($60,017 effective).

Hagerstown
Nominal: $56,519
CoL Index: 94.171
Adjusted: $60,017
Wheaton
Nominal: $71,480
CoL Index: 109.3
Adjusted: $65,398

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Hagerstown if…

  • Larger job market (250 employed)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Choose Wheaton if…

  • Higher median salary ($71,480/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($110,794)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,398)
  • You prefer the Maryland area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Hagerstown grew 16.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -6.2% growth in Wheaton over the same period.

Hagerstown, MD

+16.1%

$47,500 (2019) → $55,130 (2025)

Wheaton, MD

+-6.2%

$74,314 (2024) → $69,723 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Hagerstown or Wheaton?

Wheaton has a higher median plumber salary at $71,480/year, compared to Hagerstown at $56,519/year — a difference of $14,961 (26.47%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Hagerstown and Wheaton?

Hagerstown plumbers earn $27.17/hr while Wheaton hygienists earn $34.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Hagerstown to Wheaton as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Hagerstown and Wheaton. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Hagerstown = $60,017, Wheaton = $65,398), job availability (250 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Hagerstown vs Wheaton?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $38,476 in Hagerstown and $48,005 in Wheaton. The Wheaton 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