Plumber Salary in Charlottesville, VA: $57,934 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Charlottesville, VA earns a median $57,934/year (≈ $27.85/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Charlottesville's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 99.1), that paycheck buys what $58,433 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Virginia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the region surrounding Charlottesville, Virginia, is expected to see a median annual salary for plumbers at approximately $57,934. This figure reflects a pay range that varies from $43,274 at the lowest end to $76,500 at the upper limit. Derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data, these figures highlight a competitive local market for plumbing professionals, where union pipefitter wages, often drawing a premium over non-union service plumbing, significantly influence earnings. Given the area's dynamics, this competitive salary points toward an engaging job environment for experienced plumbers, especially as demand grows from an aging infrastructure and workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,274 | $20.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,866 | $23.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,934 | $27.85 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,226 | $33.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,500 | $36.77 |
Median Salary Position
11.43% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlottesville
In Charlottesville, VA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $33,226 (2026 est.). At $57,934, the local median is 11.43% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlottesville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlottesville Plumber Pay Compares
Charlottesville median: $57,934/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlottesville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,408 | -11.43% less |
Plumbers in Charlottesville, VA earn a median of $57,934 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.43% lower than the national median of $65,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlottesville has a cost of living 0.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlottesville, VA has a cost-of-living index of 99.146 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $57,934 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $58,433 in an average-cost city — an effective 0.86% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$49,130
2025 BLS Actual
$56,510
2026 Current Est.
$57,934
2019–2027 Growth
+20.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Charlottesville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,000 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,090 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,510 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,934 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,394 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlottesville metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.0% from $49,130 (2019) to $56,510 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,394 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,264 (20.89%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlottesville 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) | $43,274 – $49,866 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,866 – $57,934 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,934 – $70,226 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,226 – $76,500 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Charlottesville
With around 240 plumbers employed in Charlottesville, the demand for plumbing services remains robust despite the area's cost-of-living index standing just below the national average at 99.146. This context effectively enhances purchasing power for plumbers, particularly those aligned with union contractors who tend to offer higher compensation compared to their non-union counterparts. Employers such as UA signatories, large service chains like Roto-Rooter, and industrial maintenance teams generally pay the most. The salary differences reflect factors such as specialty credentials (e.g., medical gas certifications), commission structures for service roles, and the presence of overtime opportunities. To maximize earnings in Charlottesville, plumbers might consider pursuing specialized licenses or aligning with union operations, where the pay structures typically favor skilled and experienced tradespeople, ensuring a sustainable and rewarding career path.
More salary data for Charlottesville, VA:
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 $56,510 for plumbersin the Charlottesville 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