Plumber Salary

Holland vs Kalamazoo: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Holland, MI and Kalamazoo, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Holland, MI
$76,621
$36.84/hr
Kalamazoo, MI
$93,016
$44.72/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricHolland, MIKalamazoo, MI
Median Salary$76,621$93,016
Hourly Rate$36.84$44.72
Entry Level (P10)$55,911$49,415
25th Percentile$61,781$62,240
75th Percentile$98,076$93,816
Top Earner (P90)$118,763$114,484
Total Employed5870
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Holland ($76,621) and Kalamazoo ($93,016) plumber salaries.HollandKalamazooMedian Salary$76,621$93,016Entry Level (P10)$55,911$49,415Top Earner (P90)$118,763$114,484US Median $65,408

Verdict

Kalamazoo, MI offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Holland.

The salary gap between Holland and Kalamazoo is $16,395 (21.40%). Kalamazoo's median is +42.21% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Holland spans $62,852,Kalamazoo spans $65,069. Kalamazoo has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Holland
P10 (Entry)$55,911
P25$61,781
Median$76,621
P75$98,076
P90 (Top)$118,763
Kalamazoo
P10 (Entry)$49,415
P25$62,240
Median$93,016
P75$93,816
P90 (Top)$114,484

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kalamazoo ($98,077 effective) pays 19.30% more than Holland ($82,211 effective).

Holland
Nominal: $76,621
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $82,211
Kalamazoo
Nominal: $93,016
CoL Index: 94.84
Adjusted: $98,077

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Holland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($118,763)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Kalamazoo if…

  • Higher median salary ($93,016/year)
  • Larger job market (870 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $98,077)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Holland grew 19.9% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 28.3% growth in Kalamazoo over the same period.

Holland, MI

+19.9%

$62,344 (2024) → $74,738 (2025)

Kalamazoo, MI

+28.3%

$70,690 (2019) → $90,730 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Holland or Kalamazoo?

Kalamazoo has a higher median plumber salary at $93,016/year, compared to Holland at $76,621/year — a difference of $16,395 (21.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Holland and Kalamazoo?

Holland plumbers earn $36.84/hr while Kalamazoo hygienists earn $44.72/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Holland to Kalamazoo as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Holland and Kalamazoo. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Holland = $82,211, Kalamazoo = $98,077), job availability (5 vs 870 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Holland vs Kalamazoo?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $55,911 in Holland and $49,415 in Kalamazoo. The Holland 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