Plumber Hourly Pay in Little Rock, AR: $24.25 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Little Rock, AR runs $24.25 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $50,430 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Little Rock's regional price level (BEA RPP 89.4, 11% below national), each hour of work buys what $27.13 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $30,259 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Plumbers in Little Rock, Arkansas, earn a median hourly pay of $24.25, which is significantly lower than the national median of $31.45. This disparity highlights the local market's characteristics, affecting part-time and per-diem workers, especially those engaged in residential service calls or commercial construction projects. For instance, a plumber working three days a week can expect to earn approximately $24,000 annually, illustrating the flexibility and earning potential for those not in full-time positions. The hourly range for plumbers in the area varies, with entry-level positions starting around $17.31 and experienced professionals reaching up to $33.78, as per the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) projections for 2026. This spectrum allows for a diverse workforce engaged across various settings, from residential service trucks to industrial maintenance roles.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $17.31 | $138.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $18.72 | $149.76 |
| Median (P50) | $24.25 | $193.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.29 | $242.36 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $33.78 | $270.24 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Little Rock
Based on $24.25/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $24.25/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Little Rock, AR can expect to earn approximately $50,432 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $29,095. With a cost-of-living index of 89.36 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Little Rock.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Little Rock
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $969.84 | $4,203 | $50,432 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $581.90 | $2,522 | $30,259 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $387.94 | $1,681 | $20,173 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Little Rock) | $24.25 |
| 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 Little Rock, AR earn a median of $50,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.90% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.70% above the Arkansas state average of $49,587.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $24.25/hr = $30,259/year (purchasing power: $33,860).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $50,432/year (purchasing power: $56,434).
CoL index: 89.364 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$23.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$24.25/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+2.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.72/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.82/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.12/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $24.25/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Little Rock grew -2.4% from $24.22/hr (2019) to $23.65/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.86/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 Little Rock 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 Little Rock
Examining the earnings landscape for plumbers reveals considerable opportunities for part-time and contract work in Little Rock. A plumber working part-time, covering 24 hours a week, typically brings home significantly less than a full-time counterpart, but the flexibility can be appealing. Agency and per-diem plumbers, who often work on large industrial projects, may earn between $40 and $65 per hour, plus a per diem of $100 to $175 for travel. Self-employed contractors in higher-cost markets have the potential to command rates ranging from $100 to $180 depending on their credentials, such as those specializing in medical gas or backflow prevention. Employers also play a key role in shaping hourly rates; union plumbing contractors typically offer higher wages compared to non-union shops. For plumbers seeking to optimize their pay, understanding the trade-offs between hourly rates and benefits, such as health insurance, can be a decisive factor. Furthermore, effective negotiation for better rates can yield substantial rewards, particularly in a city like Little Rock where the construction market remains robust, fueled by an aging infrastructure and an experienced but dwindling workforce.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Little Rock. 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