Plumber Salary

Dallas vs San Antonio: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Dallas, TX and San Antonio, TX. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dallas, TX
$62,793
$30.19/hr
San Antonio, TX
$59,646
$28.67/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDallas, TXSan Antonio, TX
Median Salary$62,793$59,646
Hourly Rate$30.19$28.67
Entry Level (P10)$40,342$38,178
25th Percentile$49,117$47,395
75th Percentile$77,187$70,236
Top Earner (P90)$84,302$80,509
Total Employed11,9803,190
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dallas ($62,793) and San Antonio ($59,646) plumber salaries.DallasSan AntonioMedian Salary$62,793$59,646Entry Level (P10)$40,342$38,178Top Earner (P90)$84,302$80,509US Median $65,408

Verdict

Dallas, TX offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to San Antonio.

The salary gap between Dallas and San Antonio is $3,147 (5.28%). Dallas's median is -4.00% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dallas spans $43,960,San Antonio spans $42,331. Dallas has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Dallas
P10 (Entry)$40,342
P25$49,117
Median$62,793
P75$77,187
P90 (Top)$84,302
San Antonio
P10 (Entry)$38,178
P25$47,395
Median$59,646
P75$70,236
P90 (Top)$80,509

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Antonio ($62,974 effective) pays 3.39% more than Dallas ($60,911 effective).

Dallas
Nominal: $62,793
CoL Index: 103.09
Adjusted: $60,911
San Antonio
Nominal: $59,646
CoL Index: 94.716
Adjusted: $62,974

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dallas if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,793/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($84,302)
  • Larger job market (11,980 employed)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Choose San Antonio if…

  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,974)
  • You prefer the Texas area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Dallas grew 16.8% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 26.3% growth in San Antonio over the same period.

Dallas, TX

+16.8%

$52,420 (2019) → $61,250 (2025)

San Antonio, TX

+26.3%

$46,070 (2019) → $58,180 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Dallas or San Antonio?

Dallas has a higher median plumber salary at $62,793/year, compared to San Antonio at $59,646/year — a difference of $3,147 (5.28%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dallas and San Antonio?

Dallas plumbers earn $30.19/hr while San Antonio hygienists earn $28.67/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dallas to San Antonio as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dallas and San Antonio. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dallas = $60,911, San Antonio = $62,974), job availability (11,980 vs 3,190 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Dallas vs San Antonio?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $40,342 in Dallas and $38,178 in San Antonio. The Dallas 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