Plumber Salary

Kalamazoo vs Macomb Township: Plumber Salary (2026)

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

Kalamazoo, MI
$93,016
$44.72/hr
Macomb Township, MI
$79,795
$38.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKalamazoo, MIMacomb Township, MI
Median Salary$93,016$79,795
Hourly Rate$44.72$38.36
Entry Level (P10)$49,415$52,987
25th Percentile$62,240$60,502
75th Percentile$93,816$102,139
Top Earner (P90)$114,484$123,683
Total Employed87021
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kalamazoo ($93,016) and Macomb Township ($79,795) plumber salaries.KalamazooMacomb TownshipMedian Salary$93,016$79,795Entry Level (P10)$49,415$52,987Top Earner (P90)$114,484$123,683US Median $65,408

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Kalamazoo and Macomb Township is $13,221 (16.57%). 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 Kalamazoo spans $65,069,Macomb Township spans $70,696. Macomb Township has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Kalamazoo
P10 (Entry)$49,415
P25$62,240
Median$93,016
P75$93,816
P90 (Top)$114,484
Macomb Township
P10 (Entry)$52,987
P25$60,502
Median$79,795
P75$102,139
P90 (Top)$123,683

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kalamazoo ($98,077 effective) pays 14.55% more than Macomb Township ($85,617 effective).

Kalamazoo
Nominal: $93,016
CoL Index: 94.84
Adjusted: $98,077
Macomb Township
Nominal: $79,795
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $85,617

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Macomb Township if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($123,683)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Kalamazoo grew 28.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.9% growth in Macomb Township over the same period.

Kalamazoo, MI

+28.3%

$70,690 (2019) → $90,730 (2025)

Macomb Township, MI

+19.9%

$64,926 (2024) → $77,834 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Kalamazoo or Macomb Township?

Kalamazoo has a higher median plumber salary at $93,016/year, compared to Macomb Township at $79,795/year — a difference of $13,221 (16.57%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kalamazoo and Macomb Township?

Kalamazoo plumbers earn $44.72/hr while Macomb Township hygienists earn $38.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kalamazoo to Macomb Township as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kalamazoo and Macomb Township. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kalamazoo = $98,077, Macomb Township = $85,617), job availability (870 vs 21 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Kalamazoo vs Macomb Township?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $49,415 in Kalamazoo and $52,987 in Macomb Township. The Macomb Township 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