Plumber Salary in Jersey City, NJ: $81,974 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Jersey City, NJ earns a median $81,974/year (≈ $39.41/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Jersey City's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $71,158 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.8% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Jersey City, NJ, can expect a median annual salary of $81,974, significantly higher than the national median of $65,408. This city’s plumbing market reflects a widening gap between unionized pipefitters, particularly those affiliated with the United Association (UA), and their non-union counterparts. Salary estimates reveal a broad range, from $53,011 at the lower end to $127,059 for those in top positions—figures based on state-level data and regional cost adjustments. This discrepancy highlights the urban dynamics of Jersey City’s job market, where skilled union labor often commands a premium for specialized skills, such as medical gas certification, setting the stage for competitive plumber pay in Jersey City, NJ.
About the Jersey City Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,011 | $25.49 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,800 | $29.71 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,974 | $39.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,927 | $50.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,059 | $61.08 |
Median Salary Position
25.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Jersey City
In Jersey City, NJ, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,048 (2026 est.). At $81,974, the local median is 25.33% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Jersey City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Jersey City Plumber Pay Compares
Jersey City median: $81,974/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Jersey City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $75,344 | +8.80% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +25.33% more |
Plumbers in Jersey City, NJ earn a median of $81,974 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.33% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 8.80% above the New Jersey state average of $75,344.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Jersey City has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Jersey City, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,974 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $71,158 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,131
2025 BLS Actual
$79,959
2026 Current Est.
$81,974
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Jersey City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,131 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,597 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,046 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,309 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,139 | Actual |
| 2024 | $98,968 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,959 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,974 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,040 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Jersey City metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $69,131 (2019) to $79,959 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,040 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,909 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Jersey City 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) | $53,011 – $61,800 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,800 – $81,974 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,974 – $104,927 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,927 – $127,059 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Jersey City
With 42 plumbers actively employed in Jersey City, the job market remains robust, driven by both residential and commercial needs. However, the cost of living index of 115.2 indicates that local wages must compensate for higher living expenses. Among employers, union contractors typically offer the most competitive pay structures, while large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS provide lucrative commission-based options that can yield substantial earnings, albeit with variability. The disparity in wages is influenced by multiple factors, including union affiliations, specialty skills in areas like backflow prevention, and the level of licensing, particularly for self-employed plumbers. Maximizing earnings involves acquiring advanced qualifications and gaining experience in high-demand specialties, thereby positioning oneself strategically within Jersey City's plumbing sector.
More salary data for Jersey City, NJ:
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 $79,959 for plumbersin the Jersey City 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 Jersey City 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