Plumber Hourly Pay in New Orleans, LA: $30.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in New Orleans, LA runs $30.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,024 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against New Orleans's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.6, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $33.25 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,422 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In New Orleans, the plumber hourly pay is projected to reach a median of $30.79 in 2026, slightly below the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate reflects a diverse range of employment options within the industry, accommodating both part-time and per-diem workers who often operate on various job sites, including residential service calls, industrial construction sites, and hospital mechanical rooms. Entry-level plumbers in the city can expect to earn around $19.34 per hour, while experienced professionals may command rates up to $39.28. Given the prevalence of self-employed plumbers and the existence of high-cost-of-living (HCOL) markets, many skilled workers may find it financially viable to take on temporary contracts or freelance work, particularly during peak times or for specialized tasks, based on official BLS hourly data.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.34 | $154.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.05 | $200.37 |
| Median (P50) | $30.79 | $246.29 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.35 | $298.78 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $39.28 | $314.20 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in New Orleans
Based on $30.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.79/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in New Orleans, LA can expect to earn approximately $64,036 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,944. With a cost-of-living index of 92.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in New Orleans.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in New Orleans
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,231.47 | $5,336 | $64,036 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $738.88 | $3,202 | $38,422 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $492.59 | $2,135 | $25,615 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (New Orleans) | $30.79 |
| 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 New Orleans, LA earn a median of $64,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.12% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.00% above the Louisiana state average of $59,835.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.79/hr = $38,422/year (purchasing power: $41,494).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,036/year (purchasing power: $69,156).
CoL index: 92.597 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$25.44/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+24.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.44/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.55/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.86/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.93/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.56/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in New Orleans grew 18.0% from $25.44/hr (2019) to $30.03/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.56/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 New Orleans 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 New Orleans
Analyzing the compensation dynamics provides a clearer picture of earning potential. For instance, a plumber working part-time for just three days a week at 24 hours would earn about $38,000 annually, significantly less than full-time colleagues. Those in per-diem roles for industrial projects often enjoy daily rates ranging from $100 to $175, adding a substantial boost to hourly wages that can work out to over $65 or more for critical tasks. Hourly rates vary widely depending on the type of employer in New Orleans; unionized plumbers typically see premiums of 30-50% over non-union wages. Self-employed contractors may set rates between $100 and $180 per hour, reflecting their diverse clientele. Factors such as health insurance benefits versus higher pay without coverage inform many workers' decisions about where to seek employment. Negotiating effectively in New Orleans means understanding local market rates and the nuances between different employer types, ensuring plumbers can secure fair compensation for their labor.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
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 New Orleans. 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