Plumber Salary in Bethlehem, PA: $68,198 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Bethlehem, PA earns a median $68,198/year (≈ $32.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Bethlehem's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.4), that paycheck buys what $70,018 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, the projected median annual plumber salary for 2026 is set at $68,198, reflecting a competitive edge over the national figure of $65,408. This salary showcases the local market conditions and the economic factors at play, with a full pay range spanning from $47,094 at the lower end (P10) to $105,707 at the upper end (P90). These figures, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, highlight the economic opportunities for plumbers in Bethlehem. Although many plumbers may choose to operate as self-employed contractors, those working for established service firms can find stable employment with a consistent flow of work, which provides an attractive trade-off against the potential income variability that comes with self-employment.
About the Bethlehem Market
Salary estimated from Pennsylvania average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,094 | $22.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,273 | $25.61 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,198 | $32.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,294 | $41.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,707 | $50.82 |
Median Salary Position
4.27% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, PA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,613 (2026 est.). At $68,198, the local median is 4.27% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bethlehem: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bethlehem Plumber Pay Compares
Bethlehem median: $68,198/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bethlehem Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,737 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +4.27% more |
Plumbers in Bethlehem, PA earn a median of $68,198 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.27% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 7.00% above the Pennsylvania state average of $63,737.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bethlehem has a cost of living 2.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bethlehem, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.4 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $68,198 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,018 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,513
2025 BLS Actual
$66,522
2026 Current Est.
$68,198
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Bethlehem (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,513 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,733 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,435 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,654 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,176 | Actual |
| 2024 | $69,142 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,522 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,198 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,917 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bethlehem metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $57,513 (2019) to $66,522 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,917 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,404 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bethlehem 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) | $47,094 – $53,273 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,273 – $68,198 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,198 – $87,294 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,294 – $105,707 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Bethlehem
With only 14 plumbers currently employed in Bethlehem, the local job market remains relatively tight, contributing to favorable outcomes for those entering the field. The cost of living index in Bethlehem stands at 97.4, which suggests that take-home pay can stretch further compared to the national average, amplifying the effective value of plumber pay in Bethlehem PA. Employers like union signatories often pay higher wages due to the prevailing pipefitter premium, while self-employed plumbers and those in specialty roles may see greater earnings potential depending on their expertise—particularly in high-skill areas like medical gas installation. To enhance earning capacity, apprentices and journeymen should pursue further certifications and consider aligning with union contracts to benefit from collective bargaining power. The fluctuating pay scales within the trade are influenced by various factors, including specialization, experience, and overall demand for plumbing services, ensuring a dynamic environment for those skilled in this essential trade.
More salary data for Bethlehem, PA:
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 $66,522 for plumbersin the Bethlehem 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 Bethlehem 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