Plumber Salary

Leland vs Raleigh: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Leland, NC and Raleigh, NC. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Leland, NC
$53,684
$25.81/hr
Raleigh, NC
$62,066
$29.83/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLeland, NCRaleigh, NC
Median Salary$53,684$62,066
Hourly Rate$25.81$29.83
Entry Level (P10)$40,905$44,022
25th Percentile$44,151$49,589
75th Percentile$68,715$71,774
Top Earner (P90)$83,209$79,566
Total Employed62,810
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Leland ($53,684) and Raleigh ($62,066) plumber salaries.LelandRaleighMedian Salary$53,684$62,066Entry Level (P10)$40,905$44,022Top Earner (P90)$83,209$79,566US Median $65,408

Verdict

Raleigh, NC offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Leland.

The salary gap between Leland and Raleigh is $8,382 (15.61%). Raleigh's median is -5.11% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Leland spans $42,304,Raleigh spans $35,544. Leland has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Leland
P10 (Entry)$40,905
P25$44,151
Median$53,684
P75$68,715
P90 (Top)$83,209
Raleigh
P10 (Entry)$44,022
P25$49,589
Median$62,066
P75$71,774
P90 (Top)$79,566

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Raleigh ($63,231 effective) pays 10.25% more than Leland ($57,355 effective).

Leland
Nominal: $53,684
CoL Index: 93.6
Adjusted: $57,355
Raleigh
Nominal: $62,066
CoL Index: 98.157
Adjusted: $63,231

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Leland if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($83,209)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Choose Raleigh if…

  • Higher median salary ($62,066/year)
  • Larger job market (2,810 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $63,231)
  • You prefer the North Carolina area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Leland grew 9.5% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 37.2% growth in Raleigh over the same period.

Leland, NC

+9.5%

$47,805 (2024) → $52,364 (2025)

Raleigh, NC

+37.2%

$44,130 (2019) → $60,540 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Leland or Raleigh?

Raleigh has a higher median plumber salary at $62,066/year, compared to Leland at $53,684/year — a difference of $8,382 (15.61%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Leland and Raleigh?

Leland plumbers earn $25.81/hr while Raleigh hygienists earn $29.83/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Leland to Raleigh as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Leland and Raleigh. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Leland = $57,355, Raleigh = $63,231), job availability (6 vs 2,810 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Leland vs Raleigh?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $40,905 in Leland and $44,022 in Raleigh. The Raleigh area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

ST

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