Plumber Hourly Pay in South Bend, IN: $36.57 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in South Bend, IN runs $36.57 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $76,060 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against South Bend's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.9, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $39.38 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $45,638 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Plumbers in South Bend are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $36.57 in 2026, significantly above the national hourly median of $31.45. This favorable rate positions local plumbers well, especially in part-time roles, where working three days a week could yield a healthy income. Such professionals typically find themselves in various settings, from commercial construction sites to residential service calls, addressing critical issues in hospital mechanical rooms or managing intricate piping systems in manufacturing plants. The hourly earnings for plumbers range widely, with entry-level positions starting at $22.88 and experienced plumbers reaching $48.82, based on official BLS data. This breadth allows for various career paths, including self-employed contractors who may leverage their services in high-cost living markets or specialized areas such as medical gas.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.88 | $183.06 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.73 | $213.82 |
| Median (P50) | $36.57 | $292.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $47.73 | $381.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.82 | $390.56 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Bend
Based on $36.57/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $36.57/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Bend, IN can expect to earn approximately $76,063 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $43,883. With a cost-of-living index of 92.86 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in South Bend.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Bend
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,462.76 | $6,339 | $76,063 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $877.65 | $3,803 | $45,638 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $585.10 | $2,535 | $30,425 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (South Bend) | $36.57 |
| 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 South Bend, IN earn a median of $76,060 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.29% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 3.70% below the Indiana state average of $78,982.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $36.57/hr = $45,638/year (purchasing power: $49,148).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $76,063/year (purchasing power: $81,914).
CoL index: 92.858 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$29.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$35.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$36.57/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+26.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in South Bend (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $29.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.58/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.71/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $33.21/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $35.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $36.57/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $37.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in South Bend grew 20.1% from $29.70/hr (2019) to $35.67/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $37.49/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 South Bend 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 South Bend
For those considering part-time work in plumbing, a typical schedule of 24 hours a week can generate up to $45,328 annually, which contrasts starkly with full-time earnings. The per diem plumber pay in South Bend, particularly for traveling pipefitters on industrial projects, often combines an attractive hourly wage with daily per diem allowances ranging from $100-$175. Service plumbing call-out fees commonly start at $150-$300, and those who venture into self-employment in higher-cost areas may see effective rates that exceed $100-$180 hourly. Various employer types influence these rates, with union contractors generally offering premium pay relative to non-union counterparts. While some plumbers may opt for lower hourly wages in exchange for benefits like healthcare, others may strategically negotiate based on their skill sets, especially in specialties such as backflow prevention or medical gas installation, leveraging credentials from the United Association. South Bend’s market also allows flexibility; plumbers accustomed to higher commission structures in service companies might experience variability in income but also potential for greater earnings.
More salary data for South Bend, 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 South Bend. 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