Plumber Salary in Montclair, NJ: $74,607 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Montclair, NJ earns a median $74,607/year (≈ $35.87/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Montclair's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $64,763 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% below the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Montclair, New Jersey, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is set at $74,607, reflecting a notable increase compared to the national median of $65,408. This figure showcases the city's competitive market, where the salary range spans from $52,669 at the 10th percentile to $115,641 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS data, consider local economic factors and cost adjustments. With 10 plumbers currently employed in the area, there’s a small but focused workforce contributing to the local plumbing sector. The dynamic between self-employed contractors and those in traditional employment roles shapes the overall earning potential, as independent plumbers often experience different wage structures compared to their employed counterparts.
About the Montclair Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,669 | $25.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,733 | $29.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $74,607 | $35.87 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,496 | $45.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $115,641 | $55.60 |
Median Salary Position
14.06% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Montclair
In Montclair, NJ, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,972 (2026 est.). At $74,607, the local median is 14.06% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Montclair: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Montclair Plumber Pay Compares
Montclair median: $74,607/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Montclair Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $75,360 | -1.00% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +14.06% more |
Plumbers in Montclair, NJ earn a median of $74,607 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.06% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.00% below the New Jersey state average of $75,360.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Montclair has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Montclair, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $74,607 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,763 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,918
2025 BLS Actual
$72,773
2026 Current Est.
$74,607
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Montclair (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,918 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,252 | Actual |
| 2021 | $68,302 | Actual |
| 2022 | $68,541 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,207 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,532 | Actual |
| 2025 | $72,773 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $74,607 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $76,487 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Montclair metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $62,918 (2019) to $72,773 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $76,487 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,569 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Montclair 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) | $52,669 – $61,733 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,733 – $74,607 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $74,607 – $95,496 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,496 – $115,641 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Montclair
The local job market in Montclair is influenced by both the cost of living and the variety of plumbing roles available. With a cost-of-living index of 115.2, operating in this area requires plumbers to be strategic about their earnings to maintain purchasing power. Union plumbing contractors, particularly those affiliated with the UA (United Association), tend to pay higher wages partly due to the premium associated with skilled trades. Compared to non-union opportunities or residential service work, plumbers with advanced credentials, such as medical gas specialty licensing, can command even higher pay. The gap between the lower and upper salary tiers is often driven by factors such as experience level, type of work—ranging from industrial and commercial to residential—and whether employees are engaged with large service companies or operating independently. Plumbers aiming to maximize their pay in Montclair should consider obtaining additional certifications, pursuing union membership, and capitalizing on overtime and premium work opportunities, which can lead to substantial income increases over time.
More salary data for Montclair, NJ:
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 $72,773 for plumbersin the Montclair 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 Montclair 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