Plumber Hourly Pay in Raleigh, NC: $29.83 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Raleigh, NC runs $29.83 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $62,066 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Raleigh's regional price level (BEA RPP 98.2, 2% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.39 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $37,232 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Raleigh, NC, the plumber hourly pay is projected to reach a median rate of $29.83 in 2026, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate signifies that a part-time plumber working three days a week could expect to earn a considerable income while juggling other responsibilities. The range of hourly pay spans from $21.16 for entry-level positions up to $38.25 for top earners, reflecting the varied settings in which plumbers operate—ranging from residential service calls to industrial construction sites and specialized hospital mechanical rooms. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, indicating growing opportunities in this trades profession within the Raleigh area.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.16 | $169.28 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.85 | $190.77 |
| Median (P50) | $29.83 | $238.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.51 | $276.07 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $38.25 | $306.00 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Raleigh
Based on $29.83/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $29.83/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Raleigh, NC can expect to earn approximately $62,053 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $35,800. With a cost-of-living index of 98.16 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Raleigh.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Raleigh
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,193.33 | $5,171 | $62,053 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $716.00 | $3,103 | $37,232 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $477.33 | $2,068 | $24,821 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Raleigh) | $29.83 |
| 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 Raleigh, NC earn a median of $62,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.11% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.40% above the North Carolina state average of $57,789.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $29.83/hr = $37,232/year (purchasing power: $37,931).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $62,053/year (purchasing power: $63,218).
CoL index: 98.157 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$21.22/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.10/hr
2026 Current Est.
$29.83/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+44.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $21.22/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.94/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $23.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $23.47/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.71/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.10/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $29.83/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $30.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Raleigh grew 37.1% from $21.22/hr (2019) to $29.10/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $30.59/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 Raleigh 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 Raleigh
When considering part-time earning potential, a plumber working 24 hours a week could still take home a sizable income, although less than a full-time plumber. Per diem plumber pay in Raleigh often includes extras for travel assignments, with rates ranging from $100 to $175 daily in addition to base hourly pay of $40 to $65. Plumbers who self-employ can command effective rates that reach $100-$180 per hour, especially in high-cost-of-living markets. Additionally, the hourly compensation varies significantly depending on employer types: unionized positions typically command premium rates, while non-union contractors may offer more variable income. The trade-off between hourly wages and health benefits may encourage some plumbers to opt for lower rates in exchange for better job security. Negotiating pay can also be strategic; highlighting specialties, such as medical gas certifications or residential experience, can provide leverage in discussions about hourly rates, especially considering the ongoing demand in Raleigh's plumbing market.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
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 Raleigh. 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