Plumber Salary in Salem, NH: $68,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Salem, NH earns a median $68,487/year (≈ $32.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Salem's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.3), that paycheck buys what $63,828 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.4% below the New Hampshire state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Salem, New Hampshire, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $68,487, which is above the national average of $65,408. The salary range in the area spans from $46,903 at the lower end to $106,155 for the highest earners. This differential is particularly influenced by the presence of union pipefitters, whose wages are generally 30-50% higher than those of non-union service plumbers. Local estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the competitive nature of the plumbing market in Salem. As more infrastructure projects and residential conversions emerge in the region, the demand for qualified plumbers continues to increase.
About the Salem Market
Salary estimated from New Hampshire average ($64,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,903 | $22.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,805 | $25.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,487 | $32.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,664 | $42.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $106,155 | $51.03 |
Median Salary Position
4.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Salem
In Salem, NH, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,252 (2026 est.). At $68,487, the local median is 4.71% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Salem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Salem Plumber Pay Compares
Salem median: $68,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Salem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Hampshire Average | $70,172 | -2.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +4.71% more |
Plumbers in Salem, NH earn a median of $68,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.71% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 2.40% below the New Hampshire state average of $70,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Salem has a cost of living 7.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Salem, NH has a cost-of-living index of 107.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,487 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,828 — a 6.8% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,757
2025 BLS Actual
$66,804
2026 Current Est.
$68,487
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Salem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,757 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,982 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,699 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,919 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,448 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,014 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,804 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $70,213 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Salem metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $57,757 (2019) to $66,804 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $70,213 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,456 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Salem 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) | $46,903 – $52,805 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,805 – $68,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,487 – $87,664 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,664 – $106,155 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Salem
Currently, there are only eight plumbers employed in Salem, indicating a tight job market within this specialty. The cost of living index in the area sits at 107.3, slightly above the national benchmark, which may impact actual take-home pay and purchasing power for local workers. Companies like UA signatory contractors typically offer the highest salaries, particularly for those with specialized credentials such as medical gas and backflow prevention. In contrast, non-union and service companies may present variable income structures that can fluctuate based on commission. A gap exists between the high and low salaries due to factors like union vs. non-union employment, specialization, and licensing levels. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Salem, pursuing union positions, gaining additional certifications, or focusing on high-demand service areas like industrial plumbing can prove advantageous.
More salary data for Salem, NH:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $66,804 for plumbersin the Salem 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 Salem 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