Plumber Salary

Virginia Beach vs Woodbridge: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Virginia Beach, VA and Woodbridge, VA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Virginia Beach, VA
$63,429
$30.50/hr
Woodbridge, VA
$55,695
$26.78/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricVirginia Beach, VAWoodbridge, VA
Median Salary$63,429$55,695
Hourly Rate$30.50$26.78
Entry Level (P10)$46,872$41,420
25th Percentile$50,747$45,309
75th Percentile$67,161$71,289
Top Earner (P90)$77,310$86,327
Total Employed5,1009
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Virginia Beach ($63,429) and Woodbridge ($55,695) plumber salaries.Virginia BeachWoodbridgeMedian Salary$63,429$55,695Entry Level (P10)$46,872$41,420Top Earner (P90)$77,310$86,327US Median $65,408

Verdict

Virginia Beach, VA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Woodbridge.

The salary gap between Virginia Beach and Woodbridge is $7,734 (13.89%). Virginia Beach's median is -3.03% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Virginia Beach spans $30,438,Woodbridge spans $44,907. Woodbridge has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Virginia Beach
P10 (Entry)$46,872
P25$50,747
Median$63,429
P75$67,161
P90 (Top)$77,310
Woodbridge
P10 (Entry)$41,420
P25$45,309
Median$55,695
P75$71,289
P90 (Top)$86,327

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Virginia Beach ($64,762 effective) pays 20.00% more than Woodbridge ($53,968 effective).

Virginia Beach
Nominal: $63,429
CoL Index: 97.941
Adjusted: $64,762
Woodbridge
Nominal: $55,695
CoL Index: 103.2
Adjusted: $53,968

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Virginia Beach if…

  • Higher median salary ($63,429/year)
  • Larger job market (5,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,762)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Choose Woodbridge if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($86,327)
  • You prefer the Virginia area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Virginia Beach grew 20.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -8.7% growth in Woodbridge over the same period.

Virginia Beach, VA

+20.3%

$51,420 (2019) → $61,870 (2025)

Woodbridge, VA

+-8.7%

$59,527 (2024) → $54,326 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Virginia Beach or Woodbridge?

Virginia Beach has a higher median plumber salary at $63,429/year, compared to Woodbridge at $55,695/year — a difference of $7,734 (13.89%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Virginia Beach and Woodbridge?

Virginia Beach plumbers earn $30.50/hr while Woodbridge hygienists earn $26.78/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Virginia Beach to Woodbridge as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Virginia Beach and Woodbridge. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Virginia Beach = $64,762, Woodbridge = $53,968), job availability (5,100 vs 9 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Virginia Beach vs Woodbridge?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $46,872 in Virginia Beach and $41,420 in Woodbridge. The Virginia Beach 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