Plumber Hourly Pay in Richmond, VA: $30.30 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Richmond, VA runs $30.30 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,029 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.9, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,821 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Richmond, VA, the median hourly pay for plumbers is projected to reach $30.30 in 2026, slightly below the national average of $31.45 per hour. This rate reflects the realities faced by part-time workers, who might clock in around 24 hours a week, translating to about $2,765 monthly or approximately $33,180 annually. Plumbers in various settings, from residential service calls to large commercial construction sites and industrial plants, experience a wide range of hourly rates, generally spanning from $21.90 for entry-level positions up to $38.20 for experienced professionals. Such variability underscores the diverse demands and skill levels within the field, notably including specializations like medical gas installation that can command higher rates., based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.90 | $175.19 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.91 | $191.26 |
| Median (P50) | $30.30 | $242.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.50 | $284.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.20 | $305.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $30.30/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.30/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, VA can expect to earn approximately $63,034 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,366. With a cost-of-living index of 97.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,212.20 | $5,253 | $63,034 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $727.32 | $3,152 | $37,821 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $484.88 | $2,101 | $25,214 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Richmond) | $30.30 |
| 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 Richmond, VA earn a median of $63,029 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.64% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 8.80% above the Virginia state average of $57,931.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.30/hr = $37,821/year (purchasing power: $38,648).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,034/year (purchasing power: $64,414).
CoL index: 97.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.30/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+23.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.99/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.83/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.30/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.07/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Richmond grew 17.9% from $25.07/hr (2019) to $29.56/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.07/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Earning potential can vary significantly based on employment type and work arrangements. A plumber working part-time at 24 hours a week could potentially find themselves earning less on an annual basis than their full-time counterparts, which may limit benefits like health insurance offered by larger employers. For those engaged in per diem work, opportunities exist, especially for travel pipefitters who often secure daily per diem payments ranging from $100 to $175 on top of their hourly earnings. Self-employed plumbers in Richmond might achieve higher hourly rates, especially in high-cost-of-living scenarios, frequently charging between $100 to $180 per hour, reflecting the market's demand for skilled trades. Additionally, unionized positions through the United Association typically offer a robust benefits package but may come with a slightly lower base hourly wage compared to non-union roles that offer a premium for flexibility. Negotiating for pay in Richmond requires a keen understanding of these dynamics, allowing individuals to make informed career choices while maximizing their earning potential in both residential and industrial contexts.
More salary data for Richmond, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Richmond in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Richmond?
Are plumbers in Richmond paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Richmond?
Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in Richmond?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Virginia
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 Richmond. 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