Plumber Hourly Pay in Harrisburg, PA: $36.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Harrisburg, PA runs $36.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $75,414 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Harrisburg's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.7, 1% below national), each hour of work buys what $36.75 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,241 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Harrisburg, PA, plumbers earn a median hourly rate of $36.25, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. This difference illustrates not only the local cost of living but also the demand for qualified plumbing professionals in the area. For part-time workers, such as those who operate three days a week, this translates to a robust income potential across various settings, including commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and specialty roles in facilities like hospitals and manufacturing plants. The hourly wage ranges from $23.69 for entry-level positions to $51.57 for the most experienced plumbers, demonstrating a clear opportunity for upward mobility within the profession, based on official BLS data.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.69 | $189.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.72 | $237.76 |
| Median (P50) | $36.25 | $290.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.55 | $372.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.57 | $412.54 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harrisburg
Based on $36.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.25/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harrisburg, PA can expect to earn approximately $75,402 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,501. With a cost-of-living index of 98.65 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harrisburg.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harrisburg
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,450.04 | $6,284 | $75,402 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $870.03 | $3,770 | $45,241 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $580.02 | $2,513 | $30,161 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Harrisburg) | $36.25 |
| 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 Harrisburg, PA earn a median of $75,414 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.30% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 18.30% above the Pennsylvania state average of $63,748.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.25/hr = $45,241/year (purchasing power: $45,860).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $75,402/year (purchasing power: $76,434).
CoL index: 98.65 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.26/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+53.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Harrisburg (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.26/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.55/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.14/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.00/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.16/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Harrisburg grew 45.8% from $24.26/hr (2019) to $35.36/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.16/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 Harrisburg 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 Harrisburg
Examining the financial landscape for part-time plumbers in Harrisburg, those working 24 hours a week would take home an estimated annual income far below that of full-time employees; yet, the flexibility may appeal to many. Per diem plumber pay in Harrisburg can add an interesting twist for those traveling for work, with daily rates often between $100 and $175, layered atop regular hourly wages ranging from $40 to $65. For example, service plumbers may charge minimum call-out fees of $150 to $300, and self-employed contractors can earn an effective rate that exceeds $100 to $180 per hour, especially in higher-cost areas. Different employer types—union contractors, non-union companies, and government utilities—vary significantly in pay scales, sometimes reflecting benefits that are part of union employment versus higher pay but no benefits in self-employment. Contractors should think strategically about negotiations, focusing on hourly rates while keeping in mind the potential trade-offs with health insurance offerings.
More salary data for Harrisburg, PA:
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 Harrisburg. 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