Plumber Hourly Pay in Chester, PA: $29.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Chester, PA runs $29.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,580 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Chester's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.4, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.40 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,951 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Chester, Pennsylvania, the plumber hourly pay stands at a median rate of $29.61, which is slightly below the national median of $31.45. This figure is significant for part-time plumbers, particularly those working three days a week, as their earnings can substantially differ from their full-time counterparts. For example, part-time workers may find themselves balancing service calls in residential areas with commercial and industrial construction projects, including work in hospital plumbing and sewer line excavation sites. The hourly pay ranges from $22.27 for entry-level positions to $45.89 for the highest earners. Such a variance allows for a diverse range of opportunities, from self-employed contractors utilizing their service trucks to those engaged in union plumbing, where hourly rates might reflect their specific skills and specialties in the field.
About the Chester Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.27 | $178.14 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.27 | $194.13 |
| Median (P50) | $29.61 | $236.86 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.89 | $303.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.89 | $367.10 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Chester
Based on $29.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.61/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Chester, PA can expect to earn approximately $61,584 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,529. With a cost-of-living index of 97.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Chester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Chester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,184.31 | $5,132 | $61,584 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $710.59 | $3,079 | $36,951 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $473.72 | $2,053 | $24,634 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Chester) | $29.61 |
| 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 Chester, PA earn a median of $61,580 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.85% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 3.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,747.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.61/hr = $36,951/year (purchasing power: $37,937).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,584/year (purchasing power: $63,228).
CoL index: 97.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.97/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Chester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.50/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.20/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Chester grew 15.7% from $24.97/hr (2019) to $28.88/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.35/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 Chester 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 Chester
Calculating the earnings of a plumber working part-time illustrates the potential trade-offs in this profession. A plumber accepting three days a week (24 hours) would earn around $36,371 annually, whereas a full-time resident in Chester might expect to bring in significantly more. Plumbers in Chester who work per-diem, especially on out-of-town industrial projects, can command rates between $100-$175 daily, coupled with base pay ranging from $40-$65 per hour. Additionally, service plumbing companies often set a minimum call-out fee of $150-$300, crucial for self-employed plumbers to consider as they set their rates. Hourly rates may vary significantly across employer types due to the unique advantages that union contractors offer, including health benefits that can justify a slightly lower hourly rate compared to non-union positions, which might pay more but lack such perks. For those in Chester, knowing how to negotiate effectively can make a considerable difference in securing favorable terms, given the competitive nature of the plumbing industry.
More salary data for Chester, PA:
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 Chester. 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 Chester 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