Plumber Salary in Bristol, VA: $62,255 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Bristol, VA earns a median $62,255/year (≈ $29.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Bristol's price level (3% above national, BEA RPP 103.2), that paycheck buys what $60,325 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% above the Virginia state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $62,255 for plumbers in Bristol, Virginia, the local earnings are slightly lower than the national equivalent of $65,408, reflecting a difference of about 4.82%. Salaries here span a range from $45,860 at the lower end to $96,496 for the top earners in the profession. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for the regional cost of living, which is currently indexed at 103.2, suggesting that the consumer costs in Bristol are somewhat above the national average. Given the relatively small number of active plumbers working in the area, job stability may be influenced by the demand for specialized plumbing services, particularly in industrial or medical gas applications, where skilled certifications can command a notable premium.
About the Bristol Market
Salary estimated from Virginia average ($60,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,860 | $22.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,054 | $24.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,255 | $29.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,687 | $38.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,496 | $46.39 |
Median Salary Position
4.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Bristol
In Bristol, VA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,636 (2026 est.). At $62,255, the local median is 4.82% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Bristol: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Bristol Plumber Pay Compares
Bristol median: $62,255/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Bristol Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $57,912 | +7.50% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -4.82% less |
Plumbers in Bristol, VA earn a median of $62,255 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.82% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.50% above the Virginia state average of $57,912.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Bristol has a cost of living 3.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Bristol, VA has a cost-of-living index of 103.2 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,255 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,325 — a 3.1% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,501
2025 BLS Actual
$60,725
2026 Current Est.
$62,255
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Bristol (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,501 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,615 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,994 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,194 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,583 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,544 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,725 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,255 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,824 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Bristol metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $52,501 (2019) to $60,725 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,824 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,323 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bristol 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) | $45,860 – $50,054 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,054 – $62,255 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,255 – $79,687 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,687 – $96,496 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Bristol
In Bristol, a total of six plumbers are currently employed, highlighting a localized market where specialized skills could significantly impact earnings potential. With a cost-of-living index above the national average, plumbers must consider how their salaries correlate with everyday expenses and purchasing power. Employers that typically offer higher compensation include union contractors associated with the United Association, which pay premiums over their non-union counterparts. The distinctions in earnings often arise from the type of plumbing work performed; for instance, union pipefitters may earn substantially more than those in general service roles due to wage scales that favor utility and industrial maintenance. To maximize pay in this market, plumbers may benefit from pursuing additional certifications in specialty trades, engaging with union networks, and considering opportunities in government utilities, which often provide stable positions with attractive benefits.
More salary data for Bristol, VA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $60,725 for plumbersin the Bristol 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 Bristol 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