Plumber Hourly Pay in Kansas City, MO: $37.53 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Kansas City, MO runs $37.53 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $78,069 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Kansas City's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.5, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $40.56 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $46,841 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Kansas City, Missouri, the plumber hourly pay is significantly higher than the national average, with a decisive median rate of $37.53 per hour compared to the national figure of $31.45. This favorable wage structure positions the local plumbing workforce well for part-time and per-diem opportunities. For instance, a part-time plumber working three days a week could see earnings that can still support a decent living, depending on their role, whether in residential, commercial, or industrial settings. Entry-level plumbers may start at about $23.07 per hour, while those at the top of their craft can earn up to $60.54, reflecting the skill and experience level needed in various contexts, from emergency residential service calls to complex installations in manufacturing plants.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $23.07 | $184.54 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.11 | $224.89 |
| Median (P50) | $37.53 | $300.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.79 | $390.31 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $60.54 | $484.30 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kansas City
Based on $37.53/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $37.53/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kansas City, MO can expect to earn approximately $78,068 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $45,039. With a cost-of-living index of 92.54 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kansas City.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kansas City
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,501.30 | $6,506 | $78,068 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $900.78 | $3,903 | $46,841 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $600.52 | $2,602 | $31,227 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Kansas City) | $37.53 |
| 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 Kansas City, MO earn a median of $78,069 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.36% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 17.60% above the Missouri state average of $66,385.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $37.53/hr = $46,841/year (purchasing power: $50,615).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $78,068/year (purchasing power: $84,358).
CoL index: 92.543 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.02/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$36.61/hr
2026 Current Est.
$37.53/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+20.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Kansas City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.02/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.77/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.59/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.86/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.90/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $36.61/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37.53/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38.48/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Kansas City grew 14.3% from $32.02/hr (2019) to $36.61/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $38.48/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 Kansas City 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 Kansas City
Focusing on the earnings potential for part-time plumbers in Kansas City, working just 24 hours weekly could yield over $46,000 annually, a distinctive advantage for those balancing other commitments. Freelance or per-diem plumbers especially benefit from their flexibility, with pay rates ranging from $40 to $65 per hour for industrial gigs, while on-the-go workers can command daily allowances between $100 and $175 for travel-related jobs. Wages differ depending on the employer; union-affiliated plumbers with the UA often earn a premium, whereas self-employed contractors may charge between $100 and $180 per hour but may lack benefits. Compensation negotiations can hinge on factors like enhanced health benefits for lower hourly wages versus higher pay without insurance, making industry knowledge crucial for maximizing earnings. With Kansas City's aging plumbing infrastructure, the demand for skilled plumbers remains robust, offering opportunities for those keen to enter or advance in this essential field.
More salary data for Kansas City, MO:
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 Kansas City. 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