Plumber Hourly Pay in Waterbury, CT: $37.89 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Waterbury, CT runs $37.89 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,817 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Waterbury's regional price level (BEA RPP 99.8, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $37.98 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,288 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Waterbury, Connecticut, the projected plumber hourly pay for 2026 stands at $37.89, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. This discrepancy reflects the region's specific market demands, making the trade attractive not only for full-time workers but also for part-timers and those engaged as per-diem contractors. Plumbing professionals working three days a week can expect to bring home a substantial income while allowing for flexibility in their schedules. Those who operate in diverse settings—ranging from residential service calls to industrial construction sites—will find a broad hourly range, with entry-level plumbers earning approximately $23.18 and top earners reaching up to $50.77 per hour. The official data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics provides insight into the competitive pay landscape plumbers encounter in Waterbury, highlighting the city’s favorable conditions compared to the national average.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.18 | $185.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.17 | $241.37 |
| Median (P50) | $37.89 | $303.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.18 | $401.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.77 | $406.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Waterbury
Based on $37.89/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.89/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Waterbury, CT can expect to earn approximately $78,814 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,470. With a cost-of-living index of 99.78 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Waterbury.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Waterbury
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,515.66 | $6,568 | $78,814 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $909.39 | $3,941 | $47,288 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $606.26 | $2,627 | $31,526 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Waterbury) | $37.89 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Waterbury, CT earn a median of $78,817 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.50% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.40% below the Connecticut state average of $79,134.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.89/hr = $47,288/year (purchasing power: $47,394).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,814/year (purchasing power: $78,989).
CoL index: 99.778 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$27.79/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.89/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+39.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Waterbury (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.79/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $29.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $31.36/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.97/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $32.40/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.89/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Waterbury grew 33.0% from $27.79/hr (2019) to $36.96/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.85/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waterbury metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Waterbury
On the part-time earning side, a plumber working 24 hours a week can realistically take home around $44,395 annually, which is markedly lower than what a full-time plumber could earn; however, it still allows for a solid income while pursuing other interests. The reality of the per-diem pay structure often enhances earnings for travel pipefitters who might receive between $100 and $175 daily in addition to their hourly rates, which can range from $40 to $65. Service call-outs in Waterbury typically command a minimum charge of $150 to $300, further supplementing income for those in the field. Hourly earnings can greatly vary based on employer type—as union plumbers can enjoy a 30-50% premium over their non-union counterparts, while large service companies like Roto-Rooter offer commission-based structures that can lead to high variability. Plumbers often need to weigh higher hourly rates without benefits against a more stable income with insurance options, which affects their choice of employment. Negotiating pay rates, especially for part-time positions, requires an understanding of the local market, focusing on skills, certifications, and the specific demands of the contracting firms in Waterbury.
More salary data for Waterbury, CT:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Waterbury in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Waterbury. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov