Plumber Salary

Ballwin vs St. Louis: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Ballwin, MO and St. Louis, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Ballwin, MO
$63,644
$30.60/hr
St. Louis, MO
$78,940
$37.95/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBallwin, MOSt. Louis, MO
Median Salary$63,644$78,940
Hourly Rate$30.60$37.95
Entry Level (P10)$45,098$48,225
25th Percentile$50,126$58,877
75th Percentile$81,464$106,447
Top Earner (P90)$98,649$124,285
Total Employed44,060
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Ballwin ($63,644) and St. Louis ($78,940) plumber salaries.BallwinSt. LouisMedian Salary$63,644$78,940Entry Level (P10)$45,098$48,225Top Earner (P90)$98,649$124,285US Median $65,408

Verdict

St. Louis, MO offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Ballwin.

The salary gap between Ballwin and St. Louis is $15,296 (24.03%). St. Louis's median is +20.69% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Ballwin spans $53,551,St. Louis spans $76,060. St. Louis has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Ballwin
P10 (Entry)$45,098
P25$50,126
Median$63,644
P75$81,464
P90 (Top)$98,649
St. Louis
P10 (Entry)$48,225
P25$58,877
Median$78,940
P75$106,447
P90 (Top)$124,285

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, St. Louis ($83,018 effective) pays 16.88% more than Ballwin ($71,031 effective).

Ballwin
Nominal: $63,644
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $71,031
St. Louis
Nominal: $78,940
CoL Index: 95.088
Adjusted: $83,018

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Ballwin if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose St. Louis if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,940/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($124,285)
  • Larger job market (4,060 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $83,018)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Ballwin grew 13.0% from 2024 to 2025, compared to -6.3% growth in St. Louis over the same period.

Ballwin, MO

+13.0%

$54,958 (2024) → $62,080 (2025)

St. Louis, MO

+-6.3%

$82,200 (2019) → $77,000 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Ballwin or St. Louis?

St. Louis has a higher median plumber salary at $78,940/year, compared to Ballwin at $63,644/year — a difference of $15,296 (24.03%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Ballwin and St. Louis?

Ballwin plumbers earn $30.60/hr while St. Louis hygienists earn $37.95/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Ballwin to St. Louis as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Ballwin and St. Louis. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Ballwin = $71,031, St. Louis = $83,018), job availability (4 vs 4,060 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Ballwin vs St. Louis?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $45,098 in Ballwin and $48,225 in St. Louis. The St. Louis area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov