Plumber Hourly Pay in Wilmington, NC: $27.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Wilmington, NC runs $27.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,811 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Wilmington's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.4, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $28.82 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,686 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the plumber hourly rate is projected to reach $27.79 in 2026, which is notably lower than the national median of $31.45 per hour. This disparity presents an intriguing context for both full-time and part-time plumbers working in diverse settings, such as commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and industrial environments. Part-time plumbers, often employed for three days a week, can anticipate earning a significant yet flexible income, particularly through per-diem opportunities or on-demand service. In Wilmington, hourly rates range from $19.26 for entry-level positions to $37.76 for seasoned professionals, highlighting the potential for lucrative earnings for those who commit to specialize or pursue high-demand services such as medical gas installation or complex pipefitting tasks.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.26 | $154.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.85 | $182.81 |
| Median (P50) | $27.79 | $222.35 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.86 | $246.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $37.76 | $302.06 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wilmington
Based on $27.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.79/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wilmington, NC can expect to earn approximately $57,810 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,352. With a cost-of-living index of 96.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wilmington.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wilmington
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,111.73 | $4,817 | $57,810 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $667.04 | $2,890 | $34,686 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $444.69 | $1,927 | $23,124 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Wilmington) | $27.79 |
| 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 Wilmington, NC earn a median of $57,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.61% lower than the national median of $65,408.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.79/hr = $34,686/year (purchasing power: $35,973).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,810/year (purchasing power: $59,955).
CoL index: 96.422 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.35/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+27.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.35/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.39/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.81/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $24.75/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $23.45/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.49/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Wilmington grew 21.3% from $22.35/hr (2019) to $27.11/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.49/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 Wilmington 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 Wilmington
For those contemplating part-time work, a plumber clocking in 24 hours a week could bring home a respectable amount annually, though it wouldn't match the earnings of full-time employees. Per diem plumbers working on industrial projects can earn lucrative pay, often receiving $100-$175 daily in addition to hourly wages ranging from $40 to $65; those self-employed in high-cost markets might clear $100-$180 per hour. Variation in pay is evident among different employers in Wilmington; union contractors may offer premium wages alongside benefits, while non-union or self-employed plumbers may expect higher hourly rates without those security features. Negotiating for health benefits often leads some plumbers to accept lower hourly pay, emphasizing the need for professionals in the field to discern their priorities related to income versus benefits. Familiarity with prevailing rates and practices in the local market can be advantageous in securing favorable compensation arrangements.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 Wilmington. 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