Plumber Hourly Pay in Grand Rapids, MI: $39.64 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Grand Rapids, MI runs $39.64 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,467 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Grand Rapids's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $41.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,476 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Grand Rapids, Michigan, command a competitive median hourly pay of $39.64, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This robust pay system reflects the city’s diverse plumbing work landscape, including residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and specialized hospital plumbing. For part-time professionals, working three days a week could yield an annual income exceeding $61,000 if consistently engaged, while per-diem scenarios offer even more flexibility, allowing plumbers to adjust their schedules according to demand. The hourly wage ranges from $22.98 for entry-level positions to $48.41 for highly experienced plumbers, reinforcing a structured pay scale based on expertise and the complexity of work environments.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.98 | $183.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.37 | $226.94 |
| Median (P50) | $39.64 | $317.16 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.01 | $360.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.41 | $387.28 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Rapids
Based on $39.64/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.64/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Rapids, MI can expect to earn approximately $82,461 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,573. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Rapids.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Rapids
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,585.78 | $6,872 | $82,461 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $951.47 | $4,123 | $49,476 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $634.31 | $2,749 | $32,984 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Grand Rapids) | $39.64 |
| 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 Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $82,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.08% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 2.90% above the Michigan state average of $80,143.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.64/hr = $49,476/year (purchasing power: $51,783).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,461/year (purchasing power: $86,305).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.28/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.67/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.64/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+74.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.28/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.31/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.05/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.02/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.63/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.67/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.64/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Grand Rapids grew 66.1% from $23.28/hr (2019) to $38.67/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.64/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 Grand Rapids 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 Grand Rapids
Exploring the various avenues available, earning potential can drastically differ depending on the employer type. For instance, unionized plumbers affiliated with the UA typically earn 30-50% more than their non-union counterparts. Part-time plumbers working 24 hours weekly could bring home a respectable income, yet this contrasts sharply with per diem settings. Travel plumbers may receive daily per diem rates between $100-$175 on top of their hourly wages, a financial incentive for those who take on out-of-town projects. Additionally, service plumbing companies often implement call-out fees ranging from $150-$300, allowing for a considerable boost in income potential. As plumbers negotiate their rates, they must weigh the benefits of higher hourly pay against potential healthcare and retirement benefits offered by union jobs. This nuanced understanding can ensure effective negotiations tailored to the unique work environment in Grand Rapids.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 Grand Rapids. 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