Plumber Salary in Harrisonburg, VA: $53,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Harrisonburg, VA earns a median $53,608/year (≈ $25.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Harrisonburg's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 94.9), that paycheck buys what $56,494 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.5% below the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumber pay in Harrisonburg, VA, is projected at a median annual salary of $53,608, significantly below the national median of $65,408, reflecting a difference of 18.04%. The salary range for this profession covers a wide spectrum, from the lower end at $40,711 to those in top positions earning as much as $82,139. According to data derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), specialists such as those with credentials in medical gas or industrial plumbing can command higher pay, making these certifications valuable assets for career advancement. Given the local job market's dynamics, aspiring plumbers should consider the scarcity of such high-skill specialties in Harrisonburg to optimize their earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,711 | $19.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,272 | $22.73 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,608 | $25.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,675 | $30.61 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,139 | $39.49 |
Median Salary Position
18.04% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Harrisonburg
In Harrisonburg, VA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,428 (2026 est.). At $53,608, the local median is 18.04% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Harrisonburg: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Harrisonburg Plumber Pay Compares
Harrisonburg median: $53,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Harrisonburg Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Virginia Average | $57,954 | -7.50% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -18.04% less |
Plumbers in Harrisonburg, VA earn a median of $53,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.04% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.50% below the Virginia state average of $57,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Harrisonburg has a cost of living 5.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Harrisonburg, VA has a cost-of-living index of 94.892 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $53,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,494 in an average-cost city — an effective 5.38% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,870
2025 BLS Actual
$52,290
2026 Current Est.
$53,608
2019–2027 Growth
+22.5%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Harrisonburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,750 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,300 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $52,290 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,959 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Harrisonburg metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 16.5% from $44,870 (2019) to $52,290 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,959 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,089 (22.48%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harrisonburg 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) | $40,711 – $47,272 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,272 – $53,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,608 – $63,675 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,675 – $82,139 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Harrisonburg
With approximately 240 plumbers employed in the Harrisonburg area and a cost-of-living index of 94.892—indicating expenses below the national average—the actual buying power aligns favorably for those in the trade. The variation in earnings among plumbers can be significantly impacted by their employment status. Unionized plumbers typically receive higher wages than their non-union counterparts due to collective bargaining agreements. Additionally, industries such as industrial maintenance often offer competitive salaries. Strategies for maximizing pay in this market include pursuing union membership with the United Association, obtaining master licensure, and gaining experience in specialized areas such as medical gas and backflow prevention. Focusing on service plumbing with commission structures can also yield higher earnings, depending on performance and demand.
More salary data for Harrisonburg, 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 $52,290 for plumbersin the Harrisonburg 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