Plumber Hourly Pay in Middletown, DE: $29.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Middletown, DE runs $29.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,461 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Middletown's regional price level (BEA RPP 101.7, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,874 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For plumbing professionals in Middletown, DE, the 2026 projected plumber hourly pay stands at $29.55, which is noticeably lower than the national average of $31.45. This hourly rate can significantly impact part-time workers, who may find themselves earning a stable income by working three days a week in various settings such as residential service calls or commercial construction sites. This translates to a weekly income of about $474 based on a typical 24-hour work schedule. With an hourly range extending from $21.34 for entry-level positions up to $45.80 for top earners, it illustrates the upward mobility within the field, whether working as part of a team in medical gas plumbing or self-employed in service truck operations.
About the Middletown Market
Salary estimated from Delaware average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.34 | $170.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.46 | $187.65 |
| Median (P50) | $29.55 | $236.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.82 | $302.56 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $45.80 | $366.37 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Middletown
Based on $29.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.55/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Middletown, DE can expect to earn approximately $61,456 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,456. With a cost-of-living index of 101.70 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Middletown.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Middletown
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,181.85 | $5,121 | $61,456 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $709.11 | $3,073 | $36,874 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.74 | $2,049 | $24,582 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Middletown) | $29.55 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Middletown, DE earn a median of $61,461 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.03% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.60% below the Delaware state average of $66,516.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.55/hr = $36,874/year (purchasing power: $36,257).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,456/year (purchasing power: $60,429).
CoL index: 101.7 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$24.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.82/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Middletown (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.45/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $27.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.82/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.82/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Middletown grew 15.7% from $24.92/hr (2019) to $28.82/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.29/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Middletown 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.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Middletown
In addition to full-time roles, part-time plumbers in Middletown can expect to earn a substantial annual income even with only three days of work each week, amounting to approximately $24,672. It is also noteworthy that per diem plumber pay in Middletown varies widely, with travel plumbers on industrial projects typically earning not just their hourly wage but also a per diem ranging from $100 to $175. This could lead to overall earnings that significantly surpass standard hourly rates, especially for those with union representation, where plumbers can enjoy higher pay rates alongside benefits like health insurance. Rates differ depending on the employer type; self-employed plumbers might charge between $100 and $180 per hour. Therefore, it's key for hourly workers to negotiate effectively, considering the balance between securing a higher hourly rate against potential benefits offered by larger companies or unions like the UA. Understanding the local market dynamics and differentiating service plumbing from industrial demand can provide valuable leverage in these discussions.
More salary data for Middletown, DE:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Middletown. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Middletown 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