Plumber Hourly Pay in Decatur, AL: $29.54 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Decatur, AL runs $29.54 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $61,430 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Decatur's regional price level (BEA RPP 87.2, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.87 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $36,861 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the plumber hourly pay is projected to be $29.54 for 2026, which positions it slightly below the national median of $31.45 per hour. This hourly rate is significant for those considering part-time roles, as individuals working three days a week, or approximately 24 hours, would earn around $45,000 annually at this wage. The demand for plumbers in varied settings such as residential service calls, industrial projects, and medical facilities contributes to a broad range of access to opportunities. Entry-level apprentices can expect to earn around $20.00 per hour, while experienced plumbers with specialized skills, such as medical gas installation, may exceed earnings of $54.54 per hour, showcasing the potential for financial growth in this field based on skill and experience. Official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data underpins these hourly expectations.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.00 | $160.01 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.62 | $188.96 |
| Median (P50) | $29.54 | $236.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $36.72 | $293.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $54.54 | $436.33 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Decatur
Based on $29.54/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.54/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Decatur, AL can expect to earn approximately $61,435 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,443. With a cost-of-living index of 87.21 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Decatur.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Decatur
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,181.44 | $5,120 | $61,435 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $708.86 | $3,072 | $36,861 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $472.58 | $2,048 | $24,574 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Decatur) | $29.54 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Decatur, AL earn a median of $61,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 4.20% above the Alabama state average of $58,954.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.54/hr = $36,861/year (purchasing power: $42,266).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $61,435/year (purchasing power: $70,443).
CoL index: 87.212 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.13/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.54/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.13/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $22.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.44/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $26.12/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $27.50/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $27.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.54/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.28/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Decatur grew 30.2% from $22.13/hr (2019) to $28.81/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.28/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Decatur
When examining the financial prospects for part-time plumbers in Decatur, their annual earnings can diverge significantly from full-time counterparts. A plumber working a standard part-time schedule might take home nearly $45,000 a year, highlighting the viability of maintaining a work-life balance while still achieving a respectable income. For those in per-diem positions, particularly in travel pipefitting or steamfitting, opportunities can become even more lucrative, with daily pay ranging from $100-$175 in addition to a base hourly wage of $40-$65. Different employer types further influence the trade; unionized plumbers affiliated with UA might command rates 30-50% higher than non-union service providers, reflecting the premium on membership benefits. Self-employed plumbers can also benefit financially in high-cost living areas, sometimes billing between $100-$180 per hour. As hourly workers negotiate their rates, the choice between accepting lower pay with healthcare benefits versus pursuing higher rates without benefits becomes critical, emphasizing the importance of thorough negotiation strategies in Decatur's plumbing market.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Decatur. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov