Plumber Hourly Pay in Portland, OR: $49.78 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Portland, OR runs $49.78 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $103,555 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Portland's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.4, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $47.22 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $62,130 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For 2026, the median plumber hourly rate in Portland, Oregon is projected at $49.78, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This rate reflects a robust demand for plumbers in various sectors including commercial and industrial construction, residential service calls, and specialized environments like hospital mechanical rooms. The hourly pay ranges from $28.41 at entry-level positions to a remarkable $72.50 for top earners. These figures suggest that part-time or per-diem plumbers can achieve a substantial income while working in diverse settings, whether they're on-site at manufacturing plants handling complex piping systems or responding to emergency plumbing issues in residential homes. Such flexibility allows seasoned plumbers the opportunity to maximize their earnings based on schedule and job type, as indicated by the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.41 | $227.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $35.71 | $285.66 |
| Median (P50) | $49.78 | $398.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63.27 | $506.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $72.50 | $580.02 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Portland
Based on $49.78/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $49.78/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Portland, OR can expect to earn approximately $103,550 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $59,740. With a cost-of-living index of 105.42 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Portland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Portland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,991.35 | $8,629 | $103,550 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,194.81 | $5,178 | $62,130 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $796.54 | $3,452 | $41,420 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Portland) | $49.78 |
| 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 Portland, OR earn a median of $103,555 per year (2026 est.), which is 58.32% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 19.40% above the Oregon state average of $86,730.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $49.78/hr = $62,130/year (purchasing power: $58,935).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $103,550/year (purchasing power: $98,225).
CoL index: 105.421 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$37.21/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$48.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$49.78/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.2%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Portland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.21/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $38.17/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $45.69/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $39.75/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $40.81/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $48.13/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $48.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49.78/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51.04/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Portland grew 30.5% from $37.21/hr (2019) to $48.56/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $51.04/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 Portland 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 Portland
Part-time plumbers working three days a week, totaling around 24 hours, can expect an annual income that still maintains an appealing level of income, although less than their full-time counterparts. For instance, part-time professionals may earn upwards of $57,000 by simply maintaining a steady 24-hour schedule. Furthermore, those in agency or per-diem roles often benefit from extra compensation for travel; per diem rates for out-of-town projects commonly range from $100 to $175 daily, on top of base hourly wages that can vary between $40 and $65. In Portland, plumber hourly rates fluctuate based on employer type, with union affiliations often providing higher pay due to the premiums associated with UA (United Association) signatory work. Self-employed plumbers and those in service positions at companies like Roto-Rooter can charge effective rates reaching $100-$180 depending on the complexity of the job. It's crucial for plumbers to consider the overall compensation package, including benefits when negotiating, as some may forego higher hourly rates in exchange for job security and health insurance.
More salary data for Portland, OR:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Portland 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 Portland. 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