Plumber Hourly Pay in Union, NJ: $36.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Union, NJ runs $36.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,068 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Union's regional price level (BEA RPP 115.2, 15% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.74 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,638 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union, NJ, the projected plumber hourly pay in 2026 stands at $36.57, which surpasses the national median hourly rate of $31.45 by a significant margin. This elevated hourly rate highlights the economic advantages available even to part-time workers; those engaging in plumbing for three days a week could still garner a respectable income from their work in various environments, such as residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and industrial mechanical rooms. Ranging from an entry-level rate of $24.98 up to top earners at $56.68, this scale reflects the wide spectrum of opportunities for plumbers, whether they choose to be employed by union contractors, self-employed, or work for larger service companies. The hourly rate, along with the potential for overtime and specialized work in areas such as medical gas installation, significantly contributes to a plumber's earning potential in Union.
About the Union 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) | $24.98 | $199.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.37 | $226.94 |
| Median (P50) | $36.57 | $292.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.81 | $374.49 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $56.68 | $453.47 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Union
Based on $36.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.57/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Union, NJ can expect to earn approximately $76,063 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,883. With a cost-of-living index of 115.20 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Union.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Union
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,462.76 | $6,339 | $76,063 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $877.65 | $3,803 | $45,638 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $585.10 | $2,535 | $30,425 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Union) | $36.57 |
| 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, NJ earn a median of $76,068 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.30% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.00% above the New Jersey state average of $75,315.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.57/hr = $45,638/year (purchasing power: $39,616).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,063/year (purchasing power: $66,027).
CoL index: 115.2 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$30.84/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Union (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $30.84/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.49/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $45.85/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Union grew 15.7% from $30.84/hr (2019) to $35.67/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.49/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 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
Part-time plumbers averaging 24 hours a week can anticipate annual earnings substantially below their full-time counterparts, translating to about $45,000 annually based on a $36.57 hourly rate. However, those in per-diem roles, like traveling pipefitters, often see a different picture: daily compensation varying between $100-$175 for expenses, alongside base rates of $40-$65 per hour. Self-employed plumbers in Union typically command effective rates between $100 and $180, factoring in overhead costs and the desire for greater flexibility. Hourly pay drastically varies depending on the employer; unionized plumbers often receive higher pay compared to non-union services, owing to collective bargaining agreements. For those seeking stable benefits, some may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for healthcare coverage. As negotiations unfold, it's wise for plumbers to consider their unique circumstances and the leverage they hold, especially when evaluating job offers across varied sectors within the plumbing industry.
More salary data for Union, 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. 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 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