Plumber Hourly Pay in Lancaster, PA: $30.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Lancaster, PA runs $30.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,511 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Lancaster's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.3, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $31.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,102 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lancaster, Pennsylvania, the plumber hourly pay is projected to be $30.53 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate reflects the dynamics of local employment within various sectors, including commercial and residential plumbing services, as well as the industrial arena, where plumbers may work on hospital mechanical systems or large-scale manufacturing plants. For part-time plumbers, typically working three days a week, this hourly wage equates to a potential weekly income of around $488. Per-diem plumbers working on out-of-town projects may find even more lucrative opportunities, receiving additional compensation for travel days. As for entry-level positions, hourly wages start at about $22.78, escalating to $48.67 for the highest earners who often possess specialized certifications in areas like medical gas or backflow prevention. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.78 | $182.24 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.38 | $195.03 |
| Median (P50) | $30.53 | $244.24 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.80 | $294.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.67 | $389.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lancaster
Based on $30.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.53/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lancaster, PA can expect to earn approximately $63,503 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,637. With a cost-of-living index of 98.26 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Lancaster.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lancaster
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,221.22 | $5,292 | $63,503 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $732.73 | $3,175 | $38,102 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $488.49 | $2,117 | $25,401 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Lancaster) | $30.53 |
| 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 Lancaster, PA earn a median of $63,511 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.90% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.30% below the Pennsylvania state average of $63,702.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.53/hr = $38,102/year (purchasing power: $38,778).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,503/year (purchasing power: $64,630).
CoL index: 98.257 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.45/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.78/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Lancaster (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.45/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.37/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.91/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.86/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.78/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.30/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Lancaster grew 21.8% from $24.45/hr (2019) to $29.78/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.30/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 Lancaster 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 Lancaster
Overall, part-time plumbers in Lancaster can expect an annual take-home pay reflecting their reduced hours, yet they can accumulate significant earnings through per-diem work. For those working only 24 hours a week, annual earnings would total approximately $38,309, a figure that may prompt some plumbers to consider full-time opportunities for higher stability. On the other hand, travel plumbers can supplement their income with daily per-diem rates that range from $100 to $175, alongside base pay of $40 to $65 per hour. The type of employment can greatly influence hourly rates; union pipefitters, for instance, may earn a premium wage compared to non-union counterparts. Self-employed plumbers, particularly those operating in high-cost areas, might charge anywhere from $100 to $180 per hour, trading off immediate income for potential benefits. Negotiating for benefits versus hourly pay remains a crucial aspect for plumbers in Lancaster, suggesting that those prioritizing higher earnings should consider their long-term financial and health needs carefully.
More salary data for Lancaster, PA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Lancaster in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Lancaster?
Are plumbers in Lancaster paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Lancaster?
Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in Lancaster?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Pennsylvania
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 Lancaster. 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