Plumber Salary in State College, PA: $59,011 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in State College, PA earns a median $59,011/year (≈ $28.37/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in State College's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.8), that paycheck buys what $60,986 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% below the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in State College, Pennsylvania, can expect a median annual salary of $59,011, which reflects a competitive position in the local job market and highlights the area’s demand for skilled tradespeople. The salary range for this profession spans from $45,703 at the 10th percentile to $96,892 at the 90th percentile, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data. These figures suggest that while entry-level positions may offer modest pay, experienced plumbers, particularly those specializing in medical gas installations or industrial and underground utilities, can significantly increase their earnings. The disparity in compensation within the trade underscores the advantages gained by obtaining specialty certifications and licenses, which can enhance a plumber's marketability in State College.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,703 | $21.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,451 | $23.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,011 | $28.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,879 | $31.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,892 | $46.59 |
Median Salary Position
9.78% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in State College
In State College, PA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,189 (2026 est.). At $59,011, the local median is 9.78% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in State College: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How State College Plumber Pay Compares
State College median: $59,011/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | State College Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,726 | -7.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -9.78% less |
Plumbers in State College, PA earn a median of $59,011 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.78% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.40% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,726.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
State College has a cost of living 3.24% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
State College, PA has a cost-of-living index of 96.762 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $59,011 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,986 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.35% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,780
2025 BLS Actual
$57,560
2026 Current Est.
$59,011
2019–2027 Growth
+19.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in State College (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,120 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,600 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,200 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,011 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,498 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the State College metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 13.4% from $50,780 (2019) to $57,560 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,498 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,718 (19.14%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the State College 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) | $45,703 – $48,451 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,451 – $59,011 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,011 – $65,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,879 – $96,892 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in State College
A total of 130 plumbers are currently employed in State College, reflecting a stable job market for this profession. The cost of living in the area, with an index of 96.762, indicates that expenses are slightly below the national average, allowing for better purchasing power compared to other regions. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors, affiliated with the United Association, typically offer the highest wages, often realized through strong benefit packages that significantly exceed non-union counterparts. The income variation in this market stems from several factors, including the nature of the work (service vs. new construction), levels of certification, and whether plumbers are self-employed or part of a larger service company. To maximize earnings, plumbers should pursue licensing, specialized training in high-demand areas, and seek opportunities in unionized environments, where pay can be substantially higher than in non-union settings.
More salary data for State College, 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 $57,560 for plumbersin the State College 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