Plumber Salary in Dover, DE: $59,882 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Dover, DE earns a median $59,882/year (≈ $28.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Dover's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 97.5), that paycheck buys what $61,413 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.0% below the Delaware state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Dover, Delaware, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $59,882, which falls below the national median of $65,408. The salary landscape in this city varies significantly, with the overall compensation range extending from $44,986 at the 10th percentile to $106,611 at the 90th percentile. These statistics, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflect not only the immediate pay but also highlight the potential for those specializing in areas like medical gas, industrial piping, and underground utility work to command higher wages. As the demand for skilled plumbing professionals continues to grow alongside aging infrastructure, opportunities for both new entrants and seasoned plumbers are increasingly available in Dover’s job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,986 | $21.63 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,650 | $24.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,882 | $28.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,254 | $37.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,611 | $51.26 |
Median Salary Position
8.45% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dover
In Dover, DE, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,625 (2026 est.). At $59,882, the local median is 8.45% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dover: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Dover Plumber Pay Compares
Dover median: $59,882/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dover Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Delaware Average | $66,535 | -10.00% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -8.45% less |
Plumbers in Dover, DE earn a median of $59,882 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.45% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 10.00% below the Delaware state average of $66,535.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dover has a cost of living 2.49% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dover, DE has a cost-of-living index of 97.507 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $59,882 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,413 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.56% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,840
2025 BLS Actual
$58,410
2026 Current Est.
$59,882
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Dover (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 | $58,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,410 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,882 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,391 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dover metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 14.9% from $50,840 (2019) to $58,410 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,391 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,551 (20.75%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dover 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,986 – $51,650 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,650 – $59,882 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,882 – $78,254 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,254 – $106,611 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Dover
In Dover, there are approximately 90 employed plumbers, which indicates a solid local job market for this profession. The cost of living index for the region stands at 97.507, which means that while the plumber salary in Dover may be lower than the national average, it still affords reasonable purchasing power for those living and working in the area. Among the various employers, union plumbing contractors often pay the highest, with rates significantly above non-union counterparts. This difference in pay can largely be attributed to the premium wages that union pipefitters and steamfitters typically command. Additionally, specialized skills such as medical gas certification, advanced licenses, and overtime opportunities can drive earnings higher. For those seeking to maximize their earning potential, aligning with a union, pursuing specialty certifications, and considering self-employment or larger service companies can offer the best strategies to enhance plumber pay in Dover, DE.
More salary data for Dover, DE:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $58,410 for plumbersin the Dover metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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