Plumber Hourly Pay in Kalamazoo, MI: $44.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Kalamazoo, MI runs $44.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $93,016 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Kalamazoo's regional price level (BEA RPP 94.8, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $47.15 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $55,810 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kalamazoo, Michigan, the plumber hourly pay reaches a competitive median of $44.72, significantly above the national hourly median of $31.45. This considerable difference reflects the demand for plumbing professionals in various settings, including commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and specialized medical facilities. For part-time workers committing to 24 hours a week, the income potential aligns favorably, as they can still earn substantial wages. Per-diem workers in the industry also enjoy lucrative compensation rates, with profits ranging from $23.75 (entry-level) to $55.04 (top earners). Given that the data is sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics, it provides reliable insight into expected compensation trends within the Kalamazoo plumbing market.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.75 | $190.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $29.93 | $239.40 |
| Median (P50) | $44.72 | $357.75 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.11 | $360.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $55.04 | $440.34 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kalamazoo
Based on $44.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $44.72/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kalamazoo, MI can expect to earn approximately $93,016 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $53,663. With a cost-of-living index of 94.84 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kalamazoo.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kalamazoo
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,788.77 | $7,751 | $93,016 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,073.26 | $4,651 | $55,810 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $715.51 | $3,101 | $37,206 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Kalamazoo) | $44.72 |
| 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 Kalamazoo, MI earn a median of $93,016 per year (2026 est.), which is 42.21% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 16.00% above the Michigan state average of $80,187.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $44.72/hr = $55,810/year (purchasing power: $58,846).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $93,016/year (purchasing power: $98,077).
CoL index: 94.84 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.98/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$43.62/hr
2026 Current Est.
$44.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+34.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Kalamazoo (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.98/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $32.95/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $35.86/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $38.14/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.14/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $43.62/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $44.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $45.85/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Kalamazoo grew 28.4% from $33.98/hr (2019) to $43.62/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $45.85/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 Kalamazoo 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 Kalamazoo
Part-time plumbers in Kalamazoo working three days a week can potentially take home around $52,304 annually, which illustrates a viable option for those seeking flexibility in their careers. Per diem plumber pay in Kalamazoo offers even more attractive financial prospects, especially for travel pipefitters and steamfitters involved in out-of-town projects; these professionals often earn per diem ranging between $100 and $175 on top of base hourly rates ranging from $40 to $65. Self-employed plumbers can even command rates from $100 to $180 per hour, which becomes evident when analyzing job types across union and non-union contractors. Hourly rates vary considerably depending on employer type; union jobs often pay a premium compared to non-union counterparts, while larger service companies may offer lower hourly rates but compensate with benefits. Understanding these dynamics can aid more seasoned plumbers in negotiating their worth effectively in Kalamazoo’s evolving market.
More salary data for Kalamazoo, 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 Kalamazoo. 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