Plumber salary in Philadelphia, PA
Median pay, Philadelphia metro
$74,860/year
about $35.99 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $60,900 – $103,770
Half of plumbers in the Philadelphia metro area earn more than $74,860 a year and half earn less. That's 17% higher than the national median of $63,800, and ranks #11 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $48,400 | $23.27 |
| 25th | $60,900 | $29.28 |
| Median (50th) | $74,860 | $35.99 |
| 75th | $103,770 | $49.89 |
| 90th (top earners) | $142,210 | $68.37 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a plumber job in the Philadelphia metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $60,900 ($29.28/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $60,900 to $103,770 ($29.28 to $49.89/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $103,770 ($49.89/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Pay usually rises with license level (apprentice, journeyman, master). Make sure the offer matches yours.
- Ask whether service calls pay commission or bonuses on top of the hourly rate.
- Check whether a company vehicle, tools and on-call pay are included.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Philadelphia metro. Occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.