Plumber Hourly Pay in Albuquerque, NM: $31.49 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Albuquerque, NM runs $31.49 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,510 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Albuquerque's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,305 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Albuquerque, the plumber hourly pay stands at a median rate of $31.49, slightly higher than the national median of $31.45. This hourly figure is indicative of what professionals in the field can expect while working across various settings, including residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and specialized environments like hospital mechanical rooms. For part-time or per-diem plumbers, often employed on a three-day workweek, this rate translates into possible take-home income while working flexible schedules. The hourly range within the area spans from $18.38 for entry-level positions up to $43.34, reflecting the earnings potential as plumbers progress in their careers and possibly obtain specialties such as medical gas installation or backflow prevention services. These insights are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, and underscore the competitive nature of plumbing pay in the region.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.38 | $147.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.07 | $184.54 |
| Median (P50) | $31.49 | $251.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $38.78 | $310.27 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.34 | $346.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Albuquerque
Based on $31.49/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.49/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Albuquerque, NM can expect to earn approximately $65,508 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,793. With a cost-of-living index of 95.55 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Albuquerque.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Albuquerque
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,259.77 | $5,459 | $65,508 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $755.86 | $3,275 | $39,305 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $503.91 | $2,184 | $26,203 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Albuquerque) | $31.49 |
| 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 Albuquerque, NM earn a median of $65,510 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.16% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 6.10% above the New Mexico state average of $61,744.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.49/hr = $39,305/year (purchasing power: $41,137).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,508/year (purchasing power: $68,562).
CoL index: 95.546 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.41/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.49/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+50.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Albuquerque (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.97/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.08/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.71/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.29/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.49/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.29/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Albuquerque grew 43.5% from $21.41/hr (2019) to $30.72/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.29/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 Albuquerque 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 Albuquerque
For those contemplating part-time work in plumbing, a typical 24-hour workweek could yield about $41,303 annually, which is a significant difference from the full-time salary potential. In contrast, plumbers working on a per-diem basis can command higher-day rates alongside their hourly pay; travel pipefitters and steamfitters, for instance, regularly receive per diem amounts ranging from $100 to $175 on top of their hourly wage, which can be between $40 and $65. Employers also vary in how they compensate their plumbers; union-based contractors may offer premiums significantly above typical non-union rates, while large service companies often provide the alluring commission options that can lead to variable income but potentially high earnings. Plumbers in Albuquerque must weigh the benefits of health insurance against the allure of higher hourly rates without benefits, which often results in varied industry-wide pay structures. Negotiation strategies should focus on leveraging specific skills or credentials, especially for those with union backing or specialized training.
More salary data for Albuquerque, NM:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Albuquerque in 2026?
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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 Albuquerque. 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