Plumber Hourly Pay in Urbana, IL: $46.91 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Urbana, IL runs $46.91 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $97,581 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Urbana's regional price level (BEA RPP 97.1, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.31 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $58,548 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Plumbers in Urbana, Illinois, command a median hourly rate of $46.91, significantly higher than the national average of $31.45. This elevated pay reflects the city's demand for skilled labor in various settings, including commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and industrial projects. As such, plumbers working part-time, say three days a week, can expect to earn a solid income, while per-diem roles in industrial settings may offer additional compensation for travel and lodging. The hourly pay range in Urbana varies from $35.30 for entry-level positions to $72.72 for top earners, providing substantial earning potential across different employment scenarios. These figures are essential for understanding the local job market, particularly for those in specialized areas such as medical gas installation and maintenance.
About the Urbana Market
Salary estimated from Illinois average ($90,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35.30 | $282.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38.47 | $307.72 |
| Median (P50) | $46.91 | $375.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60.05 | $480.37 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.72 | $581.74 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Urbana
Based on $46.91/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $46.91/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Urbana, IL can expect to earn approximately $97,579 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $56,296. With a cost-of-living index of 97.10 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Urbana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Urbana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,876.53 | $8,132 | $97,579 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,125.92 | $4,879 | $58,548 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $750.61 | $3,253 | $39,032 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Urbana) | $46.91 |
| 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 Urbana, IL earn a median of $97,581 per year (2026 est.), which is 49.19% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 6.20% above the Illinois state average of $91,884.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $46.91/hr = $58,548/year (purchasing power: $60,296).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $97,579/year (purchasing power: $100,494).
CoL index: 97.1 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$39.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$45.76/hr
2026 Current Est.
$46.91/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Urbana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $40.40/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $42.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $43.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $44.15/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $40.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $45.76/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $46.91/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Urbana grew 15.7% from $39.56/hr (2019) to $45.76/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $48.10/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 Urbana 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 Urbana
Analyzing the earning potential, a part-time plumber working 24 hours per week would generate approximately $58,462 annually, a stable income relative to full-time counterparts. For those in per-diem positions, especially travel pipefitters engaged in out-of-town projects, the compensation can be lucrative, often reaching $40-$65 per hour in addition to daily allowances ranging from $100 to $175 for travel expenses. Employment types in Urbana further shape hourly earnings; union plumbers affiliated with the UA typically earn a premium over their non-union counterparts, who might face more variable income conditions, especially within service companies like Roto-Rooter or ARS. Negotiating pay demands an understanding of how benefits factor into hourly rates, as many choose union roles for health insurance and job security. For effective negotiations, highlighting specialized certifications, such as medical gas or backflow prevention credentials, can significantly enhance one’s value in this competitive market.
More salary data for Urbana, IL:
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 Urbana. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Urbana is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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