Plumber Hourly Pay in Columbus, OH: $31.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Columbus, OH runs $31.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,854 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Columbus's regional price level (BEA RPP 95.5, 5% below national), each hour of work buys what $32.66 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,908 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Columbus, Ohio, the plumber hourly pay stands at a median of $31.18, which is slightly below the national hourly median of $31.45. This rate presents various opportunities for both part-time and per-diem plumbers across different work environments, including commercial and industrial construction sites, residential service calls, and specialized sectors like medical gas servicing in hospitals. For those working part-time, such as on a three-day-a-week schedule, the hourly rate can be pivotal for managing financial responsibilities. The salary range for plumbers in Columbus varies widely, from $20.11 at the entry-level to as high as $50.77 for the most experienced top earners. This detailed data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics estimates based on 2025 data, highlights the potential for both stability and income growth in the plumbing profession.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.11 | $160.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.32 | $194.54 |
| Median (P50) | $31.18 | $249.41 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.08 | $336.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.77 | $406.14 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Columbus
Based on $31.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.18/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Columbus, OH can expect to earn approximately $64,847 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,412. With a cost-of-living index of 95.47 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Columbus.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Columbus
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,247.05 | $5,404 | $64,847 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $748.23 | $3,242 | $38,908 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $498.82 | $2,162 | $25,939 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Columbus) | $31.18 |
| 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 Columbus, OH earn a median of $64,854 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.85% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.40% above the Ohio state average of $64,596.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.18/hr = $38,908/year (purchasing power: $40,755).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,847/year (purchasing power: $67,924).
CoL index: 95.469 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$24.96/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.41/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+28.1%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Columbus (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $24.96/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.66/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.54/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.28/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.58/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.41/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.96/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Columbus grew 21.8% from $24.96/hr (2019) to $30.41/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.96/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 Columbus 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 Columbus
The earning potential for part-time plumbers in Columbus can result in significantly different annual incomes compared to their full-time counterparts. For instance, a plumber working 24 hours a week at $31.18 per hour would take home approximately $38,725 each year, which is a marked difference from a full-time plumber's annual income. Furthermore, per diem plumber pay in Columbus can be enticing, particularly for travel-based work; pipefitters and steamfitters on extended assignments often receive $100 to $175 per day in addition to base hourly rates between $40 and $65. Employment settings further influence hourly rates, with unionized plumbing contractors typically offering higher wages compared to non-union counterparts. Benefits such as health insurance may entice some plumbers to accept lower hourly rates in exchange for stability, while others may prioritize higher day rates and flexibility. Negotiating effective pay in Columbus requires understanding industry salary standards, factoring in both full-time benefits and the lucrative possibilities of self-employment.
More salary data for Columbus, OH:
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 Columbus. 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