Plumber Salary in Pennsylvania 2026:
$68,080 Average ($32.73/hr)
Updated 19 June 2026
Pennsylvania plumbers earn $4,280 above the national median of $63,800. Here is the full breakdown by metro, experience level, and licensing.
Pennsylvania Median
$68,080/yr
Hourly Rate
$32.73/hr
vs National
+$4,280
Top 10% Earn
$134,110+
Where Pennsylvania Ranks Nationally
National Rank (Raw Pay)
#17
of 50 states
Cost of Living Index
98
100 = national average
COL-Adjusted Salary
$69,469
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 | $77,100 |
| Pittsburgh Metro | $72,400 |
| Harrisburg-Carlisle | $65,100 |
| Allentown-Bethlehem | $67,600 |
| Scranton-Wilkes Barre | $58,200 |
Metro figures are estimates derived from the BLS OEWS May 2025 state median; actual MSA wages vary.
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)