Plumber Salary

Kansas City vs Maryland Heights: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Kansas City, MO and Maryland Heights, MO. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Kansas City, MO
$78,069
$37.53/hr
Maryland Heights, MO
$65,221
$31.36/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricKansas City, MOMaryland Heights, MO
Median Salary$78,069$65,221
Hourly Rate$37.53$31.36
Entry Level (P10)$47,979$45,363
25th Percentile$58,457$50,789
75th Percentile$101,485$83,483
Top Earner (P90)$125,915$101,093
Total Employed3,7405
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Kansas City ($78,069) and Maryland Heights ($65,221) plumber salaries.Kansas CityMaryland HeightsMedian Salary$78,069$65,221Entry Level (P10)$47,979$45,363Top Earner (P90)$125,915$101,093US Median $65,408

Verdict

Kansas City, MO offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Maryland Heights.

The salary gap between Kansas City and Maryland Heights is $12,848 (19.70%). Kansas City's median is +19.36% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Kansas City spans $77,936,Maryland Heights spans $55,730. Kansas City has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Kansas City
P10 (Entry)$47,979
P25$58,457
Median$78,069
P75$101,485
P90 (Top)$125,915
Maryland Heights
P10 (Entry)$45,363
P25$50,789
Median$65,221
P75$83,483
P90 (Top)$101,093

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Kansas City ($84,360 effective) pays 15.89% more than Maryland Heights ($72,791 effective).

Kansas City
Nominal: $78,069
CoL Index: 92.543
Adjusted: $84,360
Maryland Heights
Nominal: $65,221
CoL Index: 89.6
Adjusted: $72,791

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Kansas City if…

  • Higher median salary ($78,069/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($125,915)
  • Larger job market (3,740 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $84,360)
  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Choose Maryland Heights if…

  • You prefer the Missouri area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Kansas City grew 14.3% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 13.0% growth in Maryland Heights over the same period.

Kansas City, MO

+14.3%

$66,600 (2019) → $76,150 (2025)

Maryland Heights, MO

+13.0%

$56,320 (2024) → $63,618 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Kansas City or Maryland Heights?

Kansas City has a higher median plumber salary at $78,069/year, compared to Maryland Heights at $65,221/year — a difference of $12,848 (19.70%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Kansas City and Maryland Heights?

Kansas City plumbers earn $37.53/hr while Maryland Heights hygienists earn $31.36/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Kansas City to Maryland Heights as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Kansas City and Maryland Heights. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Kansas City = $84,360, Maryland Heights = $72,791), job availability (3,740 vs 5 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Kansas City vs Maryland Heights?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,979 in Kansas City and $45,363 in Maryland Heights. The Kansas City area offers higher starting salaries.

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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