Plumber Salary

Somerville vs Worcester: Plumber Salary (2026)

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

Somerville, MA
$85,333
$41.03/hr
Worcester, MA
$84,333
$40.55/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSomerville, MAWorcester, MA
Median Salary$85,333$84,333
Hourly Rate$41.03$40.55
Entry Level (P10)$59,209$50,091
25th Percentile$66,609$60,200
75th Percentile$109,226$108,794
Top Earner (P90)$132,265$123,003
Total Employed201,370
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Somerville ($85,333) and Worcester ($84,333) plumber salaries.SomervilleWorcesterMedian Salary$85,333$84,333Entry Level (P10)$59,209$50,091Top Earner (P90)$132,265$123,003US Median $65,408

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Somerville and Worcester is $1,000 (1.19%). Somerville's median is +30.46% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Somerville spans $73,056,Worcester spans $72,912. Somerville has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Somerville
P10 (Entry)$59,209
P25$66,609
Median$85,333
P75$109,226
P90 (Top)$132,265
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 4.59% more than Somerville ($78,648 effective).

Somerville
Nominal: $85,333
CoL Index: 108.5
Adjusted: $78,648
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 Somerville if…

  • Higher median salary ($85,333/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($132,265)
  • You prefer the Massachusetts area and lifestyle

Choose Worcester if…

  • 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 Somerville grew -7.7% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.5% growth in Worcester over the same period.

Somerville, MA

+-7.7%

$90,184 (2024) → $83,235 (2025)

Worcester, MA

+37.5%

$59,820 (2019) → $82,260 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Somerville or Worcester?

Somerville has a higher median plumber salary at $85,333/year, compared to Worcester at $84,333/year — a difference of $1,000 (1.19%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Somerville and Worcester?

Somerville plumbers earn $41.03/hr while Worcester hygienists earn $40.55/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Somerville to Worcester as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Somerville and Worcester. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Somerville = $78,648, Worcester = $82,258), job availability (20 vs 1,370 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $59,209 in Somerville and $50,091 in Worcester. The Somerville 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