Plumber Hourly Pay in Buffalo, NY: $35.61 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Buffalo, NY runs $35.61 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,050 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Buffalo's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.8, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $37.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,435 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Buffalo, NY, the plumber hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $35.61 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This competitive rate not only reflects the local market demand but also allows for a viable livelihood for part-time workers. For instance, a plumber working three days a week might earn substantial income while maintaining a flexible schedule. Typical employment settings include commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and hospital mechanical rooms, where the hourly rate can vary based on experience and expertise. Entry-level plumbers can expect to start at around $19.87 per hour, while top earners can command rates up to $51.28 per hour in Buffalo. This data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, showcasing the profession's growth potential in the region.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.87 | $158.95 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.29 | $202.33 |
| Median (P50) | $35.61 | $284.84 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.18 | $369.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.28 | $410.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Buffalo
Based on $35.61/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.61/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Buffalo, NY can expect to earn approximately $74,059 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,726. With a cost-of-living index of 95.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Buffalo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Buffalo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,424.21 | $6,172 | $74,059 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $854.52 | $3,703 | $44,435 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $569.68 | $2,469 | $29,624 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Buffalo) | $35.61 |
| 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 Buffalo, NY earn a median of $74,050 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.21% higher than the national median of $65,408.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.61/hr = $44,435/year (purchasing power: $46,362).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,059/year (purchasing power: $77,270).
CoL index: 95.844 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.57/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.73/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.61/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Buffalo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.57/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.92/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $35.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.73/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.61/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Buffalo grew 10.0% from $31.57/hr (2019) to $34.73/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.50/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 Buffalo 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 Buffalo
Analyzing the earning potential for plumbers reveals a diverse financial landscape. A part-time plumber working 24 hours a week could take home roughly $44,280 annually, in stark contrast to a full-time plumber's earnings, which can significantly exceed that amount. Per diem plumber pay in Buffalo, particularly for specialized roles in industrial projects, can range from $100 to $175 daily, along with base pay of $40 to $65 per hour. For those who self-employ, effective hourly rates in higher cost-of-living markets can rise to $100 to $180, highlighting profitability but also the variability associated with that path. Hourly rates often differ significantly depending on the employer, with union contractors typically offering 30-50% premiums over non-union counterparts. Union plumbers may prioritize stable income and health insurance benefits over higher freelance rates, while strategic negotiations can lead to better compensation packages for hourly workers across the board.
More salary data for Buffalo, NY:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Buffalo in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Buffalo?
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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 Buffalo. 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