Plumber Hourly Pay in Burlington, NC: $28.04 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Burlington, NC runs $28.04 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,324 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Burlington's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.2, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.09 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,993 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Plumbers in Burlington, North Carolina, can expect a median hourly pay of $28.04, which is notably lower than the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This rate can be particularly beneficial for part-time workers who may operate three days a week, translating their hourly earnings into substantial supplemental income. Plumbers often find themselves in various settings, including residential service calls and commercial construction sites, where they address everything from routine repairs to complex installations. The hourly rate for plumbers in Burlington can vary significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $19.09 while more experienced professionals can earn up to $36.50 per hour. These salary figures are derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data and provide a reliable indication of the industry in the area.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.09 | $152.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.71 | $181.67 |
| Median (P50) | $28.04 | $224.31 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.54 | $252.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.50 | $291.98 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Burlington
Based on $28.04/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.04/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Burlington, NC can expect to earn approximately $58,322 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,647. With a cost-of-living index of 93.20 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Burlington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Burlington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,121.57 | $4,860 | $58,322 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $672.94 | $2,916 | $34,993 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.63 | $1,944 | $23,329 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Burlington) | $28.04 |
| 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 Burlington, NC earn a median of $58,324 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.83% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $57,803.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.04/hr = $34,993/year (purchasing power: $37,548).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,322/year (purchasing power: $62,579).
CoL index: 93.196 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.07/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.35/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.04/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Burlington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.07/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.96/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $22.28/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.74/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.43/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.35/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.04/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Burlington grew 23.9% from $22.07/hr (2019) to $27.35/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.75/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 Burlington 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 Burlington
Part-time plumbers working in Burlington, who actively take on about 24 hours a week, may end up earning approximately $34,973 annually, a stark contrast to their full-time counterparts. Many opt for per diem arrangements, which allow for flexible work on out-of-town projects, with daily rates between $100 and $175 supplementing their base pay that can range from $40 to $65 per hour. Employment type can influence hourly rates; union-affiliated plumbers often enjoy a wage premium compared to non-union colleagues. Self-employed contractors typically charge higher effective rates, which can range from $100 to $180 per hour, especially in high-cost markets. Benefits, too, are a trade-off, as some workers may accept lower hourly wages to secure health insurance, while others prioritize higher pay without benefits. When discussing pay in Burlington, emphasizing relevant experience and skills—particularly in specialized areas like medical gas installation—can provide valuable leverage during salary negotiations.
More salary data for Burlington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Burlington. 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