Plumber Salary

Bullhead City vs Tucson: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Bullhead City, AZ and Tucson, AZ. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Bullhead City, AZ
$58,580
$28.16/hr
Tucson, AZ
$60,559
$29.12/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricBullhead City, AZTucson, AZ
Median Salary$58,580$60,559
Hourly Rate$28.16$29.12
Entry Level (P10)$42,808$44,945
25th Percentile$47,279$48,779
75th Percentile$74,982$66,207
Top Earner (P90)$90,799$76,121
Total Employed91,170
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Bullhead City ($58,580) and Tucson ($60,559) plumber salaries.Bullhead CityTucsonMedian Salary$58,580$60,559Entry Level (P10)$42,808$44,945Top Earner (P90)$90,799$76,121US Median $65,408

Verdict

Tucson, AZ offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Bullhead City.

The salary gap between Bullhead City and Tucson is $1,979 (3.38%). Tucson's median is -7.41% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Bullhead City spans $47,991,Tucson spans $31,176. Bullhead City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Bullhead City
P10 (Entry)$42,808
P25$47,279
Median$58,580
P75$74,982
P90 (Top)$90,799
Tucson
P10 (Entry)$44,945
P25$48,779
Median$60,559
P75$66,207
P90 (Top)$76,121

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Tucson ($62,499 effective) pays 5.09% more than Bullhead City ($59,472 effective).

Bullhead City
Nominal: $58,580
CoL Index: 98.5
Adjusted: $59,472
Tucson
Nominal: $60,559
CoL Index: 96.896
Adjusted: $62,499

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Bullhead City if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($90,799)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Choose Tucson if…

  • Higher median salary ($60,559/year)
  • Larger job market (1,170 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,499)
  • You prefer the Arizona area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Bullhead City grew -3.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 29.0% growth in Tucson over the same period.

Bullhead City, AZ

+-3.9%

$59,477 (2024) → $57,140 (2025)

Tucson, AZ

+29.0%

$45,780 (2019) → $59,070 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Bullhead City or Tucson?

Tucson has a higher median plumber salary at $60,559/year, compared to Bullhead City at $58,580/year — a difference of $1,979 (3.38%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Bullhead City and Tucson?

Bullhead City plumbers earn $28.16/hr while Tucson hygienists earn $29.12/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Bullhead City to Tucson as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Bullhead City and Tucson. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Bullhead City = $59,472, Tucson = $62,499), job availability (9 vs 1,170 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Bullhead City vs Tucson?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $42,808 in Bullhead City and $44,945 in Tucson. The Tucson 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