Plumber Salary in Medford, MA: $83,186 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Medford, MA earns a median $83,186/year (≈ $39.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Medford's price level (9% above national, BEA RPP 108.5), that paycheck buys what $76,669 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Massachusetts state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Medford, Massachusetts, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 stands at an impressive $83,186, significantly outpacing the national median of $65,408 by over 27%. This competitive compensation is reflective of the local market dynamics, particularly the wage disparities between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers. The salary range for plumbers in Medford spans from $60,861 at the 10th percentile to $128,938 at the 90th percentile, indicating a robust market with varied income potentials depending on experience, specialization, and employer affiliation. These figures derive from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026, adjusted for Medford's cost-of-living context, which is slightly above the national average.
About the Medford Market
Salary estimated from Massachusetts average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $60,861 | $29.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,353 | $32.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,186 | $39.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $106,477 | $51.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,938 | $61.99 |
Median Salary Position
27.18% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Medford
In Medford, MA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,077 (2026 est.). At $83,186, the local median is 27.18% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Medford: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Medford Plumber Pay Compares
Medford median: $83,186/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Medford Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Massachusetts Average | $84,196 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +27.18% more |
Plumbers in Medford, MA earn a median of $83,186 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.18% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.20% below the Massachusetts state average of $84,196.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Medford has a cost of living 8.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Medford, MA has a cost-of-living index of 108.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,186 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,669 — a 7.83% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$70,153
2025 BLS Actual
$81,141
2026 Current Est.
$83,186
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Medford (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,153 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,641 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,156 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,423 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,279 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,915 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,141 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,186 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,282 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Medford metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $70,153 (2019) to $81,141 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,282 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,129 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Medford 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) | $60,861 – $67,353 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,353 – $83,186 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,186 – $106,477 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $106,477 – $128,938 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Medford
The plumbing job market in Medford includes approximately 11 employed plumbers, illustrating a niche yet vital workforce for the area. With a cost-of-living index of 108.5, plumbers must navigate a more expensive living environment, which can impact take-home pay. Among local employers, union contractors affiliated with the United Association tend to offer the highest salaries, benefiting from the premium paid for pipefitting and steamfitting skills. On the other hand, residential and light commercial service companies may offer variable income opportunities through commission structures that reward productivity. This spread in plumber pay in Medford is largely influenced by the type of work—specialty roles such as medical gas provide high rewards due to limited skilled labor, while standard residential plumbing doesn't always offer the same financial benefits. To maximize earnings, plumbers should consider acquiring additional certifications and pursuing opportunities within union environments or high-demand specialty areas.
More salary data for Medford, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Medford, MA in 2026?
Is Medford, MA a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Medford?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Medford?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Medford?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Massachusetts
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 $81,141 for plumbersin the Medford 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
Salary data for Medford 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