SOC 47-2152 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — Rochester
Rochester, NY · 10 metro areas compared
In Rochester, NY the median wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is $73,580 a year, which is 15.3% higher than the national figure of $63,800.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
In Rochester, NY the median wage for Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters is $73,580 a year, which is 15.3% higher than the national figure of $63,800. The middle half of workers in this occupation earn between $55,630 and $89,820. The lowest tenth earn under $43,570, while the highest tenth earn more than $100,140.
The area has 1,460 jobs in this occupation, giving a location quotient of 0.99 — a measure of how concentrated the occupation is here relative to the country as a whole. Within the state, Binghamton records the highest median at $87,990. Of the 562 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 208th.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $43,570 | −31.7% |
| 25th | $55,630 | −12.8% |
| Median (50th) | $73,580 | +15.3% |
| 75th | $89,820 | +40.8% |
| 90th | $100,140 | +57.0% |
| Mean | $73,550 | +15.3% |
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 | Utica | $72,810 | 140 | |
| 6 | Buffalo | $72,230 | 1,430 | |
| 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 Rochester run 7.9% above the national average, so the median of $73,580 buys what $68,193 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 6.9% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$73,580as reported by BLSLocal price level
107.9US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$68,193US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $73,580 a year, 15.3% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $43,570 to $100,140 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The area has 1,460 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 Rochester, NY?
The median annual wage is $73,580, or $35.38 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 Rochester, NY is 15.3% 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 Rochester, NY earns more than $100,140 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $43,570 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 1,460 jobs in this occupation in Rochester, 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.
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