Plumber Salary in Johnstown, PA: $61,481 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Johnstown, PA earns a median $61,481/year (≈ $29.56/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Johnstown's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $71,549 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Johnstown, Pennsylvania, are expected to earn a median annual salary of $61,481, which is slightly below the national median of $65,408. Salaries in this field range widely, with the lowest earning roughly $43,376 and the highest reaching around $90,597. These projections are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, reflecting a local economy where the choice between self-employment as a contractor or working for a plumbing service creates different financial outcomes. Plumbers in Johnstown face a growing job market, though their compensation can vary significantly based on their employment type, from unionized positions to self-employment.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,376 | $20.85 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,168 | $24.60 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,481 | $29.56 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,630 | $35.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $90,597 | $43.55 |
Median Salary Position
6% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnstown
In Johnstown, PA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,221 (2026 est.). At $61,481, the local median is 6% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnstown: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnstown Plumber Pay Compares
Johnstown median: $61,481/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnstown Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,711 | -3.50% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -6.00% less |
Plumbers in Johnstown, PA earn a median of $61,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.00% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 3.50% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,711.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnstown has a cost of living 14.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnstown, PA has a cost-of-living index of 85.929 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $61,481 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $71,549 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,380
2025 BLS Actual
$59,970
2026 Current Est.
$61,481
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Johnstown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,150 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,280 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,970 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,481 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,031 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnstown metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 35.1% from $44,380 (2019) to $59,970 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,031 by 2027 — a total increase of $18,651 (42.03%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnstown 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) | $43,376 – $51,168 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,168 – $61,481 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,481 – $73,630 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,630 – $90,597 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Johnstown
Analyzing the local job market reveals that approximately 90 plumbers are currently employed in Johnstown, navigating a cost of living index of 85.929, which suggests somewhat lower expenses compared to the national average. This index impacts the real purchasing power of plumber pay in Johnstown PA, potentially making salaries more appealing in relation to living costs. Union plumbing contractors generally offer higher wages, with wages for skilled trades often outpacing those in non-union residential plumbing due to benefits and standard pay structures. The diversity in compensation stems from specialties such as medical gas installation, which attracts better rates, along with variations based on employment structure—self-employed plumbers may find higher earning potential but must factor in overhead and inconsistent workloads. To maximize pay, securing additional certifications, such as medical gas or backflow prevention credentials, becoming proficient in residential and light commercial work, and considering work with union contractors can provide substantial advantages in Johnstown's plumbing market.
More salary data for Johnstown, 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 $59,970 for plumbersin the Johnstown 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, 7-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