Plumber Salary

Plumber Hourly Pay in Needham, MA: $39.77 (2026)

Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Needham, MA runs $39.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,714 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Needham's regional price level (BEA RPP 108.5, 9% above national), each hour of work buys what $36.65 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,630 per year.

$82,714
Median Annual Salary
$39.77/hr
Hourly Rate
$57,584
Entry Level (P10)
$128,207
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Plumber Hourly Rate in Needham, MA — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Needham, MA plumber hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

For plumbers in Needham, Massachusetts, projected hourly pay is an attractive $39.77 in 2026, which significantly exceeds the national median of $31.45. This strong rate benefits both full-time plumbers and those working part-time or per-diem in a variety of settings, including residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and manufacturing plants. With a broader hourly range of $27.68 for entry-level positions up to $61.64 for top earners, individuals in this profession can find work tailored to their availability and skills. Whether operating through service trucks as self-employed contractors or engaging in specialized tasks in hospital mechanical rooms, plumbers can leverage this competitive hourly wage to secure favorable working conditions while addressing the ongoing demand for skilled labor in the field.

About the Needham Market

Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.

Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown

PercentileHourly RatePer 8hr Shift
Entry Level (P10)$27.68$221.44
Lower Range (P25)$30.98$247.85
Median (P50)$39.77$318.14
Upper Range (P75)$50.90$407.21
Top Earners (P90)$61.64$493.08

Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Needham

Based on $39.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.

Horizontal bars showing a plumber in Needham earning $39.77/hr would make approximately $47,721 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $82,716 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$47,721Reduced (32 hr/wk)$63,628Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$82,716

At $39.77/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Needham, MA can expect to earn approximately $82,716 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,721. With a cost-of-living index of 108.50 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Needham.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$318.14
per 8hr shift
$1,590.70
per week
$6,893
per month
$82,716
per year

Schedule Comparison in Needham

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
Full-Time (40 hrs)$1,590.70$6,893$82,716
Part-Time (24 hrs)$954.42$4,136$49,630
Per Diem (16 hrs)$636.28$2,757$33,087

Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles

RoleMedian Hourly
Plumber (Needham)$39.77
Electrician (National Avg)$31.97
HVAC Technician (National Avg)$28.47
Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg)$32.85
Construction Laborer (National Avg)$22.95
Horizontal bar chart comparing plumber median salary in Needham ($82,714) with Massachusetts average ($84,145) and the US national median ($65,408).Needham$82,714Massachusetts Avg$84,145-1.70%US National$65,408+26.46%

Plumbers in Needham, MA earn a median of $82,714 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.46% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.70% below the Massachusetts state average of $84,145.

Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living

Working 24h/week at $39.77/hr = $49,630/year (purchasing power: $45,742).

Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,716/year (purchasing power: $76,236).

CoL index: 108.5 (100 = national average).

2019 BLS Actual

$33.54/hr

2025 BLS Actual

$38.79/hr

2026 Current Est.

$39.77/hr

2019–2027 Growth

+21.6%

Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Needham (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for plumbers in Needham. Baseline $33.54/hr in 2025, projected to $40.77/hr by 2027.$32$35$38$41$442019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$33.54$34.25$36.41$36.53$37.42$42.03$38.79$39.77$40.77
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$33.54/hrActual
2020$34.25/hrActual
2021$36.41/hrActual
2022$36.53/hrActual
2023$37.42/hrActual
2024$42.03/hrActual
2025$38.79/hrActual
2026(current)$39.77/hrEstimated
2027$40.77/hrProjected

Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Needham grew 15.7% from $33.54/hr (2019) to $38.79/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.77/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.

Note: Historical values (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Needham metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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 Needham

Analyzing the implications of hourly pay reveals varied opportunities for plumbers in Needham. Working part-time, say a plumber committing to three days a week for 24 hours, could yield an annual income around $49,505, considerably less than their full-time counterparts. For those opting for per diem work, particularly in travel-heavy roles such as pipefitters or steamfitters involved in out-of-town projects, the potential for earnings can increase significantly; these positions might offer daily per diem rates of $100-$175 on top of base hourly wages ranging from $40-$65. Furthermore, union labor often allows for higher pay scales, with benefits that may appeal to those valuing job security over higher hourly rates alone. With employers ranging from unionized contractors to large service companies and municipal utilities, plumbers must wisely consider hourly rates against the benefits provided, a choice that requires solid negotiation skills to command the best outcomes in this competitive field.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Needham in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for plumbers in Needham is $39.77/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.52% annual growth). Rates range from $27.68 at entry level (10th percentile) to $61.64 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 26.5% above the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time plumbers make in Needham?

A part-time plumber working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Needham earns approximately $4,136/month, or $49,630/year at the median hourly rate of $39.77. Many plumbers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are plumbers in Needham paid hourly or salary?

The majority of plumbers in Needham are paid hourly at a median rate of $39.77/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $82,716/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Needham?

A full-time plumber working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Needham earns approximately $82,716/year at the median hourly rate of $39.77. This is 26.5% above the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $128,201/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in Needham?

Part-time and per diem plumbers in Needham sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $61.64/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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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

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 Needham. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.

Data Sources & Methodology

Salary data for Needham is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).

View estimation methodology

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

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