Plumber Salary in Newark, NJ: $80,710 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Newark, NJ earns a median $80,710/year (≈ $38.80/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Newark's price level (15% above national, BEA RPP 115.2), that paycheck buys what $70,061 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.1% above the New Jersey state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Newark, New Jersey, plumbers consistently earn competitive wages, with a median annual salary projected at $80,710 for 2026. This figure reveals a remarkable 23.39% increase compared to the national median of $65,408, highlighting the lucrative opportunities present in the local market for plumbing professionals. Salary figures for Newark range from $50,580 at the 10th percentile up to $125,100 at the 90th percentile, evidencing the diverse earning potential based on experience and specialization. While both union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers operate in Newark, the unionized workforce typically commands a higher pay premium. Specifically, UA (United Association) union members see wages 30-50% above their non-union counterparts, making the choice between union and non-union employment a significant factor in salary potential.
About the Newark Market
Salary estimated from New Jersey average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,580 | $24.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,091 | $30.82 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $80,710 | $38.80 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,308 | $49.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,100 | $60.15 |
Median Salary Position
23.39% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Newark
In Newark, NJ, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $74,520 (2026 est.). At $80,710, the local median is 23.39% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Newark: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Newark Plumber Pay Compares
Newark median: $80,710/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Newark Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Jersey Average | $75,359 | +7.10% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +23.39% more |
Plumbers in Newark, NJ earn a median of $80,710 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.39% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 7.10% above the New Jersey state average of $75,359.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Newark has a cost of living 15.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Newark, NJ has a cost-of-living index of 115.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $80,710 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $70,061 — a 13.19% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,065
2025 BLS Actual
$78,726
2026 Current Est.
$80,710
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Newark (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,065 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,508 | Actual |
| 2021 | $73,889 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,148 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $99,334 | Actual |
| 2025 | $78,726 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $80,710 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $82,744 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Newark metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $68,065 (2019) to $78,726 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $82,744 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,679 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Newark 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) | $50,580 – $64,091 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,091 – $80,710 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $80,710 – $103,308 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,308 – $125,100 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Newark
The local plumbing job market in Newark employs around 61 plumbers, indicating a stable demand for skilled workers despite the city's relatively high cost of living index of 115.2, which can pressure take-home earnings. Employers such as UA-signatory contractors and large service firms like Roto-Rooter are known for offering competitive pay, particularly for specialized skills like medical gas and backflow prevention, which are increasingly sought after. This demand arises from an aging infrastructure and a workforce where the average age of plumbers is over 50. Understanding the dynamics of pay within different sectors—service plumbing, new construction, and industrial maintenance—can yield higher earnings. Aspiring plumbers can maximize their income by pursuing advanced licenses, specializing in high-demand areas, and seeking out roles in well-paying union environments or established companies with competitive commission structures.
More salary data for Newark, 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 $78,726 for plumbersin the Newark 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 Newark 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