Plumber Hourly Pay in Richmond, IN: $36.96 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Richmond, IN runs $36.96 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,865 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Richmond's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.3, 9% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.48 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,124 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Richmond, Indiana, the plumber hourly pay is projected to reach $36.96 in 2026, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. This favorable rate can benefit part-time workers, like those putting in three days a week, who can still earn a substantial income while maintaining flexible schedules. Plumbers may find employment in various settings, from high-demand areas like commercial construction sites and residential service calls to specialized medical gas installations in hospitals. The hourly range for plumbers in Richmond is notable, starting at $25.03 for entry-level positions and climbing to $57.28 for top earners, illuminating the diverse earning potential based solely on skills, experience, and work type.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $25.03 | $200.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.61 | $244.90 |
| Median (P50) | $36.96 | $295.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.30 | $378.42 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $57.28 | $458.22 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Richmond
Based on $36.96/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.96/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Richmond, IN can expect to earn approximately $76,874 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $44,350. With a cost-of-living index of 91.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Richmond.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Richmond
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,478.34 | $6,406 | $76,874 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $887.00 | $3,844 | $46,124 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $591.34 | $2,562 | $30,749 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Richmond) | $36.96 |
| 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 Richmond, IN earn a median of $76,865 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.52% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 2.70% below the Indiana state average of $78,998.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.96/hr = $46,124/year (purchasing power: $50,519).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,874/year (purchasing power: $84,199).
CoL index: 91.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$31.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.05/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.96/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.83/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $33.84/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $33.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $34.78/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.48/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.05/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.96/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.89/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Richmond grew 15.7% from $31.17/hr (2019) to $36.05/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.89/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 Richmond 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 Richmond
Examining part-time earning potential, a plumber working 24 hours a week in Richmond might take home around $46,000 annually, a significant figure compared to their full-time counterparts. For those in per diem roles, agency or locum work can yield enhanced financial rewards; travel pipefitters may make $100-$175 a day in addition to their hourly pay, which generally falls between $40-$65. The earnings vary widely among different employer types in the area, from union contractors that often provide benefits to non-union, self-employed plumbers who might command rates exceeding $100 per hour in high-cost markets. The nuanced decision-making about hourly rates, especially when weighing job benefits against pay, is critical. Union members may accept a slightly lower hourly wage for health coverage, whereas independent contractors may prioritize higher hourly compensation. Those negotiating hourly pay in Richmond should consider industry standards and the specific demands of their skills, particularly for roles specializing in medical gas and backflow prevention.
More salary data for Richmond, IN:
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 Richmond. 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 Richmond 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