Plumber Salary

Lynchburg vs Richmond: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Lynchburg, VA and Richmond, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Lynchburg, VA
$58,652
$28.20/hr
Richmond, VA
$63,029
$30.30/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLynchburg, VARichmond, VA
Median Salary$58,652$63,029
Hourly Rate$28.20$30.30
Entry Level (P10)$40,116$45,539
25th Percentile$47,313$49,722
75th Percentile$62,148$73,835
Top Earner (P90)$74,758$79,443
Total Employed3302,340
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Lynchburg ($58,652) and Richmond ($63,029) plumber salaries.LynchburgRichmondMedian Salary$58,652$63,029Entry Level (P10)$40,116$45,539Top Earner (P90)$74,758$79,443US Median $65,408

Verdict

Richmond, VA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Lynchburg.

The salary gap between Lynchburg and Richmond is $4,377 (7.46%). Richmond's median is -3.64% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Lynchburg spans $34,642,Richmond spans $33,904. Lynchburg has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Lynchburg
P10 (Entry)$40,116
P25$47,313
Median$58,652
P75$62,148
P90 (Top)$74,758
Richmond
P10 (Entry)$45,539
P25$49,722
Median$63,029
P75$73,835
P90 (Top)$79,443

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Lynchburg ($65,633 effective) pays 1.90% more than Richmond ($64,409 effective).

Lynchburg
Nominal: $58,652
CoL Index: 89.363
Adjusted: $65,633
Richmond
Nominal: $63,029
CoL Index: 97.858
Adjusted: $64,409

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Lynchburg if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $65,633)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Richmond if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,029/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($79,443)
  • Larger job market (2,340 employed)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Lynchburg grew 29.1% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 17.9% growth in Richmond over the same period.

Lynchburg, VA

+29.1%

$44,320 (2019) → $57,210 (2025)

Richmond, VA

+17.9%

$52,150 (2019) → $61,480 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Lynchburg or Richmond?

Richmond has a higher median plumber salary at $63,029/year, compared to Lynchburg at $58,652/year — a difference of $4,377 (7.46%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Lynchburg and Richmond?

Lynchburg plumbers earn $28.20/hr while Richmond hygienists earn $30.30/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Lynchburg to Richmond as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Lynchburg and Richmond. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Lynchburg = $65,633, Richmond = $64,409), job availability (330 vs 2,340 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Lynchburg vs Richmond?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $40,116 in Lynchburg and $45,539 in Richmond. The Richmond area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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