Plumber Hourly Pay in Boston, MA: $47.69 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Boston, MA runs $47.69 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $99,198 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Boston's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.3, 8% above national), each hour of work buys what $44.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $59,520 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Boston, Massachusetts, plumbers earn a median hourly rate of $47.69, significantly surpassing the national average of $31.45. This higher pay reflects the city's elevated cost of living and competitive demand for skilled labor. Part-time workers who clock in three days a week can expect to bring home around $2,642 per week, or about $137,300 annually, while per-diem plumbers can augment their earnings by taking on additional jobs across various settings, ranging from commercial construction sites to residential service calls. The hourly range for plumbers varies considerably, with entry-level positions starting around $25.76 and top earners achieving rates up to $70.95. These figures are corroborated by data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and emphasize the value placed on plumbing expertise in this urban environment.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.76 | $206.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.88 | $247.03 |
| Median (P50) | $47.69 | $381.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $58.11 | $464.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70.95 | $567.63 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Boston
Based on $47.69/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $47.69/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Boston, MA can expect to earn approximately $99,200 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $57,231. With a cost-of-living index of 108.27 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Boston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Boston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,907.69 | $8,267 | $99,200 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,144.62 | $4,960 | $59,520 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $763.08 | $3,307 | $39,680 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Boston) | $47.69 |
| 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 Boston, MA earn a median of $99,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 51.66% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 17.80% above the Massachusetts state average of $84,209.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $47.69/hr = $59,520/year (purchasing power: $54,976).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $99,200/year (purchasing power: $91,626).
CoL index: 108.266 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$33.73/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$46.52/hr
2026 Current Est.
$47.69/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+45.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Boston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.73/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.52/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.82/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.26/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.27/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $46.52/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47.69/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Boston grew 37.9% from $33.73/hr (2019) to $46.52/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.89/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 Boston 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 Boston
Considering part-time or per-diem arrangements can significantly influence earnings. A plumber working 3 days a week might earn less annually than a full-time counterpart, yet they have more flexibility for alternate gigs, especially in high-demand areas like hospital mechanical rooms or manufacturing plants. For those engaged on a per-diem basis, particularly travel pipefitters, the potential to earn between $100 and $175 per day for expenses on top of a base hourly wage ranging from $40 to $65 is significant. In Boston, where a variety of employers—from union contractors, which tend to offer higher wages and benefits, to self-employed plumbers operating at premium rates—professional opportunities abound. Those who choose employment with greater hourly pay might forgo benefits like health insurance, while others may take lower hourly rates for job security and benefits. Knowledge of the market can guide negotiations; understanding the dynamics between contractor types and the specific skills required can empower plumbers to advocate for a competitive plumber hourly rate in MA.
More salary data for Boston, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Boston. 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