Plumber Salary in Reading, PA: $63,942 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Reading, PA earns a median $63,942/year (≈ $30.75/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Reading's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.1), that paycheck buys what $65,879 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the Pennsylvania state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the plumber salary in Reading, PA, is projected to reach a median annual figure of $63,942, slightly below the national median of $65,408. The salary range for plumbers in the area varies significantly, with entry-level positions earning around $47,580 and experienced plumbers making as much as $104,314. This data is drawn from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and reflects the dynamic nature of the plumbing industry. Specialties such as medical gas and industrial plumbing often command higher wages, adding to the attractiveness of plumbing careers within Reading's employment market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,580 | $22.87 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,711 | $24.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,942 | $30.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $78,171 | $37.58 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,314 | $50.15 |
Median Salary Position
2.24% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Reading
In Reading, PA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,734 (2026 est.). At $63,942, the local median is 2.24% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Reading: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Reading Plumber Pay Compares
Reading median: $63,942/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Reading Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Pennsylvania Average | $63,750 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -2.24% less |
Plumbers in Reading, PA earn a median of $63,942 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.24% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.30% above the Pennsylvania state average of $63,750.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Reading has a cost of living 2.94% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Reading, PA has a cost-of-living index of 97.06 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $63,942 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,879 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.03% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$58,130
2025 BLS Actual
$62,370
2026 Current Est.
$63,942
2019–2027 Growth
+12.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Reading (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $58,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,630 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,120 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,050 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,942 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,553 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Reading metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 7.3% from $58,130 (2019) to $62,370 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,553 by 2027 — a total increase of $7,423 (12.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Reading 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,580 – $51,711 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,711 – $63,942 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,942 – $78,171 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $78,171 – $104,314 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Reading
The local job market currently employs approximately 360 plumbers, which indicates a steady demand for plumbing professionals in Reading. With a cost-of-living index of 97.06, salaries can stretch further, allowing plumbers to enjoy a decent standard of living. Employers that tend to pay the most in the region include union plumbing contractors affiliated with the UA (United Association), who often offer salaries significantly above non-union counterparts. Variability in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialty credentials, contractor licenses, and the nature of work, whether residential, commercial, or industrial. For those looking to maximize plumber pay in Reading, acquiring advanced certifications in specialties like medical gas and pursuing union membership can provide a competitive edge while seizing opportunities within the city’s growing infrastructure needs.
More salary data for Reading, 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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $62,370 for plumbersin the Reading metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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