Plumber Hourly Pay in Fort Wayne, IN: $38.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Fort Wayne, IN runs $38.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $79,053 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Fort Wayne's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.05 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $47,429 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the plumber hourly pay in Fort Wayne, Indiana, is projected to reach $38.00, which significantly outpaces the national average of $31.45. This robust hourly rate provides desirable financial benefits for both full-time and part-time plumbers, especially those working three days a week. In practical terms, part-time plumbers can expect to earn around $1,824 weekly based on a standard schedule, translating to an approximate annual income of $94,752 if maintained consistently throughout the year. The range for hourly pay varies widely, from $23.59 for entry-level positions up to $50.53 for those at the higher end of experience and expertise, making Fort Wayne an attractive market for plumbers in various settings, including residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and industrial piping systems.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.59 | $188.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.87 | $238.99 |
| Median (P50) | $38.00 | $304.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.53 | $404.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.53 | $404.26 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fort Wayne
Based on $38.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $38.00/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fort Wayne, IN can expect to earn approximately $79,049 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,605. With a cost-of-living index of 92.57 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fort Wayne.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fort Wayne
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,520.17 | $6,587 | $79,049 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $912.10 | $3,952 | $47,429 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $608.07 | $2,635 | $31,619 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Fort Wayne) | $38.00 |
| 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 Fort Wayne, IN earn a median of $79,053 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.86% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $78,974.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $38.00/hr = $47,429/year (purchasing power: $51,235).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $79,049/year (purchasing power: $85,392).
CoL index: 92.572 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$26.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$37.07/hr
2026 Current Est.
$38.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+48.3%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Fort Wayne (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.34/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $38.53/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $37.07/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $38.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Fort Wayne grew 41.1% from $26.28/hr (2019) to $37.07/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.96/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 Fort Wayne 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 Fort Wayne
Focusing on part-time roles, a plumber working 24 hours a week could see an annual take-home pay significantly different from their full-time counterparts, perhaps generating around $46,944 yearly. The per diem options available in Fort Wayne also allow for increased earnings, particularly for travel pipefitters or steamfitters, with daily rates often ranging from $100 to $175 on top of an hourly wage of $40 to $65. Additionally, self-employed plumbers can command hourly rates as high as $100 to $180, particularly in high-cost-of-living markets. Hourly rates often fluctuate based on employment type; union workers may enjoy a more stable income and benefits, while non-union contractors might offer higher pay rates without health insurance. Understanding these dynamics, plumbers should negotiate effectively based on their credentials, such as UA sponsorship or specialty skills, to maximize their hourly earnings in Fort Wayne's competitive job landscape.
More salary data for Fort Wayne, IN:
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 Fort Wayne. 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