SOC 47-2152 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — Buffalo
Buffalo-Cheektowaga, NY · 10 metro areas compared
In Buffalo, NY the median wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is $72,230 a year, which is 13.2% higher than the national figure of $63,800.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Buffalo, NY the median wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is $72,230 a year, which is 13.2% higher than the national figure of $63,800. Half of workers earn between $51,310 and $93,690. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $40,300 and the ninetieth at $104,040.
Employment stands at 1,430, or 2.7 jobs per thousand held locally. Within the state, Binghamton records the highest median at $87,990. Of the 586 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 242nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $40,300 | −36.8% |
| 25th | $51,310 | −19.6% |
| Median (50th) | $72,230 | +13.2% |
| 75th | $93,690 | +46.8% |
| 90th | $104,040 | +63.1% |
| Mean | $73,700 | +15.5% |
Other metro areas in New York
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Binghamton | $87,990 | 280 | |
| 2 | Glens Falls | $81,820 | 110 | |
| 3 | New York | $78,610 | 21,040 | |
| 4 | Albany | $77,460 | 1,470 | |
| 5 | Rochester | $73,580 | 1,460 | |
| 6 | Utica | $72,810 | 140 | |
| 7 | Kingston | $70,190 | 180 | |
| 8 | Syracuse | $67,040 | 840 | |
| 9 | Kiryas Joel | $64,990 | 780 | |
| 10 | Elmira | $64,680 | 140 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in Buffalo run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $72,230 buys what $66,942 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 4.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$72,230as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$66,942US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $72,230 a year, 13.2% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $40,300 to $104,040 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,430 jobs in this occupation.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Binghamton, at $87,990.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in Buffalo, NY?
The median annual wage is $72,230, or $34.73 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $63,800, so pay in Buffalo, NY is 13.2% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in Buffalo, NY earns more than $104,040 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $40,300 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Binghamton, at $87,990 per year.
How many jobs are there in this occupation here?
The survey estimates 1,430 jobs in this occupation in Buffalo, NY. Self-employed workers are not included.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
Explore related data