Plumber Salary in Delaware: $61,965 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Delaware's 6 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $61,965/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Delaware sits at BEA RPP 101.7 (2% above the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $60,929 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Wilmington ($76,139), Newark ($64,467), Bear ($62,180).
In Delaware, the average median salary for plumbers in 2026 is projected to be $61,965, which is 5.3% lower than the national median of $65,408. The disparity in pay between cities is evident, with Wilmington offering the highest average salary at $78,058, while Dover ranks the lowest at $59,882, creating a salary gap of $18,176. This difference can be attributed to factors such as the concentration of commercial projects and residential developments in urban areas like Wilmington, as well as the demand for skilled labor in those markets. Delaware's plumbers must comply with state licensing requirements that ensure adherence to safety and quality standards. The scope of practice laws also dictate the tasks that licensed plumbers can perform, shaping the local job market. The projected annual growth rate for plumbing jobs in the state is 2.52%, indicating a consistent demand for services as infrastructure develops and existing systems require maintenance. With a total of 122 plumbers employed across six metro areas, the job market is stable, offering opportunities particularly in cities like Newark with a projected salary of $66,092, Bear at $63,747, and Smyrna at $61,626. As construction projects continue to rise, the demand for skilled plumbers is likely to follow suit in the coming years.
Delaware Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Delaware: $44,404 (lowest entry-level) to $120,989 (highest top earner)
Delaware vs National Average
Delaware plumbers earn 5.26% less than the national median ($-3,443/year difference).
Delaware Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Delaware range from $45,885 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $106,222 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $61,965. The Delaware median is $3,443 below the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $29.79/hr. Approximately 122 plumbers are employed across 6 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$50,840
2025 BLS Actual
$60,442
2026 Current Est.
$61,965
2019–2027 Growth
+25.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Delaware (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,840 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,730 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,960 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,442 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,965 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,527 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Delaware metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 18.9% from $50,840 (2019) to $60,442 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,527 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,687 (24.95%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Delaware 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Delaware
Lowest Paying Cities in Delaware
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Dover | $59,882 |
| Middletown | $61,461 |
| Smyrna | $61,626 |
| Bear | $63,747 |
| Newark | $66,092 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Delaware
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Delaware cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wilmington | $78,058 | 101.7 | $76,753 |
| Newark | $66,092 | 101.7 | $64,987 |
| Bear | $63,747 | 101.7 | $62,681 |
| Dover | $59,882 | 97.507 | $61,413 |
| Smyrna | $61,626 | 101.7 | $60,596 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Delaware
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $45,885 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $61,965 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $106,222 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Delaware metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 6 Cities in Delaware
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wilmington | $78,058 |
| 2 | Newark | $66,092 |
| 3 | Bear | $63,747 |
| 4 | Smyrna | $61,626 |
| 5 | Middletown | $61,461 |
| 6 | Dover | $59,882 |
More Delaware Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Delaware in 2026?
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How does Delaware plumber pay compare to the national average?
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Which Delaware city offers the best value for plumbers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Delaware. State averages are employment-weighted across 6 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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