ConstructionUpdated Q1 2026

Plumber Salary
in Arlington, VA

Install and repair water supply, drainage, and gas systems in buildings. Median salary in Arlington: $85K/year. Data from BLS, O*NET, and H-1B disclosures.

Median salary
$85K
per year
Take-home: $55K

Salary range in Arlington

Entry level (25th)$65,000
Median (50th)$85,000
Senior (75th)$113,000
Top earner (90th)$148,000
Data freshness

Figures represent annual base salary in Arlington, Virginia. Reviewed by SalaryOptics Editorial · How we calculate this →

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What the numbers say for Arlington

Analysis derived from the salary, COL, tax, and labor-market figures above — specific to this role and city.

25% premium vs national median

Plumbers in Arlington earn approximately 25% higher than the US national median for this role — a $17,000 premium on annual base salary. This reflects Arlington's position as a higher-cost labor market where employers must match local wage norms.

Cost-of-living adjusted picture

Adjusted for Arlington's cost-of-living index (148), the median Plumber salary buys the equivalent of $57,432 in a US-average-cost city. That's $10,568 less purchasing power than the national median — the higher nominal salary doesn't fully offset local costs.

Rent eats 55% of take-home

Average 1-bedroom rent in Arlington ($2,500/mo) consumes approximately 55% of an after-tax median Plumber salary. Financial planners typically recommend keeping housing under 30% of take-home — a salary at the 75th percentile ($113K) brings that ratio into a more comfortable range here.

Key facts for Arlington

Median salary
$85K
annual
Take-home pay
$55K
after fed/state tax
COL index
148
100 = US avg
State income tax
5.75%
effective rate
Avg 1BR rent
$2,500
per month
YoY growth
+5.5%
salary trend

Salary forecast: Arlington Plumber to 2030

Based on BLS 2022–2032 Employment Projections and WEF Future of Jobs Report 2026. At current growth rates, median salary reaches $85K by 2030.

Salary trend & forecast — Arlington

Historical (2019–2025) + projected to 2030 based on BLS growth rates

HistoricalProjected
Plumber salary trend 2019–2030PROJECTED →$71K$77K$84K$90K$96K201920212023202520272029
2026
$87K
projected
2027
$89K
projected
2028
$92K
projected
2029
$94K
projected
2030
$96K
projected

Projections based on BLS Employment Projections 2022–2032 CAGR and WEF Jobs Report 2025. Not financial advice.

YearProjected median salaryvs today
2027 projected$85,000+$0
2028 projected$85,000+$0
2029 projected$85,000+$0
2030 projected$85,000+$0

Projections use compound annual growth rate (CAGR) from BLS occupational outlook data. Actual salaries may vary.

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Plumber Salary in Arlington, Virginia: Complete Guide (2026)

The median Plumber salary in Arlington, VA is $85,000 per year as of Q1 2026. This figure represents the midpoint of all reported compensation for this role in the Arlington–VA metropolitan area, based on data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment Statistics, H-1B visa disclosures from the Department of Labor, and O*NET occupational data.

Salary range for Plumber in Arlington

Entry-level Plumbers in Arlington with 0–2 years of experience typically earn between $65,000 and $85,000 annually. Mid-career professionals with 3–7 years command $85,000 to $113,000, while senior-level practitioners with 8+ years of experience regularly earn $113,000 to $148,000 or more.

Cost of living in Arlington for Plumbers

Arlington has a cost of living index of 148 compared to the US national average of 100. Arlington's cost of living is above the US average, so the salary figures above reflect local market rates. Virginia has a 5.75% state income tax rate.

Education requirements for Plumber

Apprenticeship; journeyman license. 2% of these roles offer some remote flexibility.

Plumber salary in nearby cities

CityMedian salaryCOL index
Arlington (current)$85K148
Virginia Beach$68K98
Norfolk$65K95
Chesapeake$67K98
Richmond$67K98
Newport News$65K95