Plumber Salary in Middletown, NJ: $74,181 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Middletown, NJ earns a median $74,181/year (≈ $35.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Middletown's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $64,393 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumber salaries in Middletown, New Jersey, are projected to offer a median annual salary of $74,181, which reflects a notable 13.41% premium compared to the national median of $65,408. The salary range for these skilled professionals spans from $53,912 at the 10th percentile to $114,981 at the 90th percentile, illustrating a healthy compensation landscape for plumbers in the area. These local figures are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional cost variations. Esteemed specialties such as medical gas and industrial plumbing commands a premium, significantly influencing overall earnings and opportunities for plumbers in the Middletown job market.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,912 | $25.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,735 | $28.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,181 | $35.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $94,952 | $45.65 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $114,981 | $55.28 |
Median Salary Position
13.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Middletown
In Middletown, NJ, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $61,069 (2026 est.). At $74,181, the local median is 13.41% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Middletown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Middletown Plumber Pay Compares
Middletown median: $74,181/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Middletown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $75,388 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +13.41% more |
Plumbers in Middletown, NJ earn a median of $74,181 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.41% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.60% below the New Jersey state average of $75,388.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Middletown has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Middletown, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,181 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,393 — a 13.19% 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
$62,559
2025 BLS Actual
$72,358
2026 Current Est.
$74,181
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,559 | Actual |
| 2020 | $63,886 | Actual |
| 2021 | $67,912 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $69,806 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,999 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,358 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,181 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,051 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Middletown metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $62,559 (2019) to $72,358 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,051 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,492 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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) | $53,912 – $59,735 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,735 – $74,181 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,181 – $94,952 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $94,952 – $114,981 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Middletown
The local job market in Middletown currently employs around 15 plumbers, underscoring a competitive labor environment. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, living expenses in the area are higher than the national average, which can impact take-home pay and purchasing power. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors, particularly those affiliated with the United Association (UA), tend to offer the highest wages due to the premium associated with unionized work. This is contrasted with non-union and open-shop contractors where earnings may vary more widely. The disparity in local plumber pay often hinges on factors such as specialization, experience level (including master and contractor licensing), and the potential for overtime and commission at service companies. To maximize earnings in Middletown, plumbers should consider acquiring specialty certifications and engaging in ongoing education within high-demand fields, thereby enhancing their marketability amidst the aging infrastructure and workforce.
More salary data for Middletown, NJ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Middletown, NJ in 2026?
Is Middletown, NJ a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Middletown?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Middletown?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Middletown?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in New Jersey
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 $72,358 for plumbersin the Middletown 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 Middletown 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