Plumber Salary in Pennsylvania 2026:
$63,200 Average ($30.38/hr)
Updated 17 April 2026
Pennsylvania plumbers earn $230 above the national median of $62,970. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Pennsylvania Median
$63,200/yr
Hourly Rate
$30.38/hr
vs National
+$230
Top 10% Earn
$96,400+
Where Pennsylvania Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#14
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
98
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$64,490
purchasing power equiv.
Plumber Pay by Metro Area in Pennsylvania
Wages vary significantly within the state. Major metros with strong union presence tend to pay the most.
| Metro Area | Median Annual |
|---|---|
| Philadelphia Metro | $71,600 |
| Pittsburgh Metro | $67,200 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $60,400 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem | $62,800 |
| Scranton-Wilkes Barre | $54,000 |
Source: BLS OES May 2024 Metropolitan Area data. Figures are estimates based on available MSA data.
Pay by Experience Level in Pennsylvania
Career stage matters more than any other factor except geography. Here is what each level earns in Pennsylvania.
| Career Level | Hourly | Annual |
|---|---|---|
| Apprentice (Year 1) | $18 - $24/hr | $37,000 - $50,000 |
| Apprentice (Year 4) | $24 - $32/hr | $50,000 - $67,000 |
| Journeyman | $32 - $46/hr | $67,000 - $96,000 |
| Master Plumber (Employee) | $40 - $54/hr | $83,000 - $112,000 |
| Self-Employed Owner | $85 - $165/hr billed | $80,000 - $220,000 net |
Pennsylvania Plumbing License Requirements
To work legally as a plumber in Pennsylvania, you must hold the appropriate state license. Here is what is required.
Licensing Authority
Pennsylvania has no state plumbing license; licensing is by municipality (Philadelphia and Pittsburgh both require city master plumber licenses)
Journeyman Requirement
Varies by city; Philadelphia: 4 years apprenticeship through Plumbers Local 690 JATC or registered program
Master Plumber Requirement
Varies by city; Philadelphia: 4 years as journeyman + exam; Pittsburgh: 3 years as journeyman + exam
Reciprocity
City-by-city; no statewide reciprocity
Exam Fee
$100 to $250 depending on jurisdiction
Full 50-state licensing matrix: plumbing license requirements by state.
Union Plumbers in Pennsylvania
UA Local 690 (Philadelphia - one of the largest plumbers Locals in the country), UA Local 27 (Pittsburgh), UA Local 354 (Erie). ~38% in Philadelphia metro; ~30% in Pittsburgh; lower statewide.
Union plumbers in Pennsylvania typically earn 25 to 40 percent more in total compensation (base wages plus health insurance, pension, and annuity) compared to non-union plumbers at the same experience level. See the full comparison at union vs non-union plumber pay.
Job Outlook in Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania is a dual-metro state with Philadelphia anchoring the East Coast pay band and Pittsburgh anchoring an industrial-heavy market. Philadelphia's healthcare and university construction pipelines (CHOP, Penn Medicine, Drexel, Temple) drive consistent commercial plumbing demand. Pittsburgh's natural-gas industry, hospital systems (UPMC, Allegheny Health Network), and battery / EV-manufacturing investments (Cracker Plant, Form Energy) sustain pipefitter demand at scale. Cost of living near the national average makes Pennsylvania one of the better-value pay markets among Northeast states.
Biggest Employers in Pennsylvania
- +Worth & Company (PA-based mechanical)
- +P.J. Dick Inc (Pittsburgh)
- +Turner Construction (Philadelphia + Pittsburgh)
- +Skanska USA
- +Driscoll Construction (Pittsburgh)