Plumber Hourly Pay in Worcester, MA: $40.55 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Worcester, MA runs $40.55 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,333 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Worcester's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.5, 3% above national), each hour of work buys what $39.55 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,602 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Worcester, Massachusetts, the plumber hourly pay is projected to reach $40.55 by 2026, which significantly exceeds the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate highlights the robust demand for plumbing services across various settings, including residential service calls, industrial construction sites, and specialized environments like hospital mechanical rooms. For part-time workers, those clocking in approximately 24 hours a week might expect to earn around $979.20 weekly, making it viable yet challenging to maintain a living wage. The hourly pay range for plumbers in Worcester reflects the entry-level starting point of around $24.08, moving up to top earners making as much as $59.13, based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data. These figures underscore a healthy market for plumbing professionals, especially for those more experienced or specialized in areas like medical gas installation.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.08 | $192.66 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.94 | $231.53 |
| Median (P50) | $40.55 | $324.37 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $52.31 | $418.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.13 | $473.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Worcester
Based on $40.55/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.55/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Worcester, MA can expect to earn approximately $84,337 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,656. With a cost-of-living index of 102.52 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Worcester.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Worcester
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,621.87 | $7,028 | $84,337 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $973.12 | $4,217 | $50,602 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $648.75 | $2,811 | $33,735 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Worcester) | $40.55 |
| 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 Worcester, MA earn a median of $84,333 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.93% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.20% above the Massachusetts state average of $84,165.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.55/hr = $50,602/year (purchasing power: $49,357).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,337/year (purchasing power: $82,262).
CoL index: 102.523 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.76/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.55/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.55/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Worcester (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.76/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.38/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.50/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.09/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.54/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.20/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.55/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.55/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.57/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Worcester grew 37.5% from $28.76/hr (2019) to $39.55/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.57/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 Worcester 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 Worcester
When evaluating the potential for earnings as a part-time plumber in Worcester, it’s essential to consider the trade-offs of hourly work. Plumbers working three days a week can anticipate an income that aligns differently with full-time counterparts; their annual earnings can be considerably lower depending on hours worked. Meanwhile, many plumbing professionals take on per-diem roles or engage with agencies, especially for travel-related projects, where pay scales can range from $40 to $65 per hour, in addition to daily per-diem rates that often range from $100 to $175. This results in a potential for substantial earnings in short-turnaround jobs compared to more traditional hourly positions. Furthermore, rates can differ significantly across employer types—from union contractors, which may offer 30-50% more than non-union positions, to self-employed workers who can command rates up to $180 per hour in high-cost-of-living areas. For those in Worcester, understanding these dynamics and knowing how to negotiate effectively can significantly impact overall income.
More salary data for Worcester, MA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Worcester in 2026?
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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 Worcester. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
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