Plumber Salary in Elmira, NY: $66,310 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Elmira, NY earns a median $66,310/year (≈ $31.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Elmira's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 94.4), that paycheck buys what $70,245 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 10.5% below the New York state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Elmira, New York, plumbers earn a competitive median annual salary of $66,310, slightly above the national median of $65,408. The range of salaries extends from $46,237 at the 10th percentile to $122,153 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning potential depending on skills and experience. These figures are derived from official 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, which captures the strength of the local job market. With a growing demand for skilled plumbers—especially those with specialties like medical gas and industrial pipefitting—Elmira presents an attractive environment for both new entrants and seasoned professionals looking to advance their careers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,237 | $22.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,978 | $24.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,310 | $31.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,451 | $46.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,153 | $58.73 |
Median Salary Position
1.38% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Elmira
In Elmira, NY, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $75,916 (2026 est.). At $66,310, the local median is 1.38% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Elmira: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Elmira Plumber Pay Compares
Elmira median: $66,310/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Elmira Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New York Average | $74,089 | -10.50% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +1.38% more |
Plumbers in Elmira, NY earn a median of $66,310 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.38% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 10.50% below the New York state average of $74,089.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Elmira has a cost of living 5.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Elmira, NY has a cost-of-living index of 94.398 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $66,310 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,245 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.93% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,921
2025 BLS Actual
$64,680
2026 Current Est.
$66,310
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Elmira (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,921 | Actual |
| 2020 | $71,430 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,940 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,880 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,700 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,680 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,310 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,981 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Elmira metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,921 (2019) to $64,680 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,981 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,060 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Elmira 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) | $46,237 – $51,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,978 – $66,310 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,310 – $96,451 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,451 – $122,153 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Elmira
The local plumbing market is characterized by a diverse workforce of approximately 140 plumbers, where factors like union affiliation and specialization significantly influence earnings. In Elmira, the cost of living index stands at 94.398, below the national average, suggesting that take-home pay can stretch further than in many metropolitan areas. Employers paying the highest wages tend to be union plumbing contractors affiliated with the United Association (UA), which typically offer a premium of 30-50% over non-union wages. Additionally, those in high-skill specializations, like medical gas and backflow prevention, can command top dollar, while service companies such as Roto-Rooter or ARS may pay through a commission structure with fluctuating income. Plumbers can maximize their earning potential by pursuing advanced licensing, specializing in high-demand fields, and considering contract arrangements that provide better margins.
More salary data for Elmira, NY:
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 $64,680 for plumbersin the Elmira 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 6-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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