Plumber Hourly Pay in Atlanta, GA: $28.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Atlanta, GA runs $28.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $59,851 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Atlanta's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.1, 0% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.76 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,914 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Atlanta, Georgia, the projected median hourly pay for plumbers is $28.78, reflecting a competitive market that falls below the national median of $31.45. With a range stretching from $18.68 for entry-level positions to as much as $40.21 for high-earning professionals, this hourly rate provides viable income opportunities for both full-time and part-time workers. Many plumbers opt to work three days a week in settings such as commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and specialized environments like hospital mechanical rooms. The flexibility of the plumbing profession allows for a variety of scheduling options, appealing to those who consider per-diem work on out-of-town jobs or freelance roles with service trucks. This official BLS data, based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, highlights the earning potential at different experience levels in this essential industry.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.68 | $149.43 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.65 | $181.17 |
| Median (P50) | $28.78 | $230.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.46 | $283.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $40.21 | $321.67 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Atlanta
Based on $28.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.78/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Atlanta, GA can expect to earn approximately $59,857 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $34,533. With a cost-of-living index of 100.06 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Atlanta.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Atlanta
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,151.09 | $4,988 | $59,857 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $690.66 | $2,993 | $35,914 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $460.44 | $1,995 | $23,943 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Atlanta) | $28.78 |
| 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 Atlanta, GA earn a median of $59,851 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.50% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 17.30% above the Georgia state average of $51,024.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.78/hr = $35,914/year (purchasing power: $35,893).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $59,857/year (purchasing power: $59,822).
CoL index: 100.058 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.48/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$28.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+25.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Atlanta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.48/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $25.47/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $26.88/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.90/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $28.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $29.50/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Atlanta grew 19.5% from $23.48/hr (2019) to $28.07/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $29.50/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 Atlanta 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 Atlanta
Examining the earning potential for part-time plumbers, one can see that those working three days a week for a total of 24 hours might realistically take home a significant amount annually, albeit lower than full-time counterparts. For instance, per-diem opportunities often enhance take-home pay considerably, particularly for travel pipefitters, who may receive daily per diem amounts between $100 and $175 on top of an hourly base rate of $40 to $65. In Atlanta, self-employed plumbers in high-cost areas can effectively charge rates upwards of $100 to $180 per hour, depending on the type of work and market demand. Hourly rates can also vary significantly across employer types, with union contractors typically offering competitive benefits that may justify lower wages compared to non-union or self-employed positions. It is crucial for plumbers in Atlanta to be proactive in negotiations, emphasizing their unique skills and certifications to secure the best rate while weighing the balance between hourly pay and employee benefits in their decision-making process.
More salary data for Atlanta, GA:
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 Atlanta. 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