Plumber Hourly Pay in Union City, NJ: $35.73 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Union City, NJ runs $35.73 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,314 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Union City's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.01 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,589 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, NJ, the plumber hourly pay has reached a median rate of $35.73, significantly higher than the national average of $31.45. This favorable rate reflects the competitive landscape for plumbing professionals in the region, allowing both full-time and part-time workers to benefit. For those working three days a week, such as in residential service calls or industrial settings, this hourly pay translates to a reliable income. Entry-level plumbers can expect to earn around $26.07 per hour, while seasoned professionals may command up to $55.38 per hour, showing a versatile earning potential in various work environments, from construction sites to healthcare facilities. These hourly figures, based on projections from 2025 BLS data, indicate a robust demand for plumbing services in Union City, supported by the growing need for skilled labor across the state.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.07 | $208.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.85 | $230.79 |
| Median (P50) | $35.73 | $285.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.73 | $365.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.38 | $443.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union City
Based on $35.73/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.73/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union City, NJ can expect to earn approximately $74,315 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,874. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,429.13 | $6,193 | $74,315 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $857.48 | $3,716 | $44,589 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $571.65 | $2,477 | $29,726 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Union City) | $35.73 |
| 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 Union City, NJ earn a median of $74,314 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.62% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.40% below the New Jersey state average of $75,369.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.73/hr = $44,589/year (purchasing power: $38,706).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,315/year (purchasing power: $64,509).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.73/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $32.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $32.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $33.62/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.73/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.63/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Union City grew 15.7% from $30.13/hr (2019) to $34.85/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.63/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 Union City 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 Union City
An individual plumbing professional working part-time for 24 hours a week would take home about $44,070 annually, a decent income compared to the full-time equivalent of $74,314. For those opting for per diem work, common in industrial projects and specialized service calls, opportunities abound to earn between $40 and $65 per hour, supplemented by substantial daily travel stipends. In Union City, self-employed plumbers often see effective rates between $100 and $180 per hour, allowing for flexibility but also variability in income. Employers in this area range from union contractors enjoying a premium due to UA affiliation to non-union residential plumbers and large service companies with set hourly rates and commission structures. When negotiating pay, plumbers should consider not just the hourly rate but also the benefits offered, with union jobs typically providing health insurance that may outweigh higher wages without benefits in some cases. Understanding these dynamics can aid in career decision-making and financial planning in the plumbing field.
More salary data for Union City, NJ:
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 Union City. 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 Union City is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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