Plumber Hourly Pay in Harlingen, TX: $23.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Harlingen, TX runs $23.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $48,886 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Harlingen's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.0, 4% below national), each hour of work buys what $24.49 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $29,338 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Harlingen, Texas, the plumber hourly pay stands at $23.51, which notably lags behind the national median hourly wage of $31.45. This hourly rate is particularly relevant for part-time plumbers who might work three days a week, providing a balanced work-life schedule while earning a stable income. The expected payout structure varies significantly; with entry-level plumbers starting at $16.08 and top earners making up to $36.43 per hour. Such rates are indicative of both the skill level and the type of plumber work being performed, whether on commercial and industrial construction sites, residential service calls, or specialized tasks in medical gas installations. Overall, these hourly figures reflect current labor dynamics and have been projected from various annual salary estimates.
About the Harlingen Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $16.08 | $128.60 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $19.07 | $152.55 |
| Median (P50) | $23.51 | $188.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $30.08 | $240.63 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.43 | $291.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Harlingen
Based on $23.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $23.51/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Harlingen, TX can expect to earn approximately $48,896 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $28,209. With a cost-of-living index of 96.00 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Harlingen.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Harlingen
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $940.31 | $4,075 | $48,896 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $564.19 | $2,445 | $29,338 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $376.13 | $1,630 | $19,559 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Harlingen) | $23.51 |
| 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 Harlingen, TX earn a median of $48,886 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.26% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 12.20% below the Texas state average of $55,678.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $23.51/hr = $29,338/year (purchasing power: $30,560).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $48,896/year (purchasing power: $50,934).
CoL index: 96 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$19.82/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$22.93/hr
2026 Current Est.
$23.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Harlingen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $19.82/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $20.25/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $21.52/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.60/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $22.12/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $22.93/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $23.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $24.10/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Harlingen grew 15.7% from $19.82/hr (2019) to $22.93/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $24.10/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 Harlingen 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 Harlingen
On the economic front, for plumbers working part-time in Harlingen, a typical 3-day, 24-hour workweek translates into an annual take-home of about $29,449. Comparatively, full-time plumbers can expect notably higher earnings. For those pursuing per diem work in out-of-town industrial projects, pay can reach $100-$175 per day, bolstered by an hourly rate that can range from $40 to $65. In addition, many service plumbing companies charge call-out fees starting at $150, which, coupled with an hourly rate, can significantly increase hourly earnings. Employment settings significantly impact hourly earnings as well; union jobs often fetch a premium, while self-employed plumbers can earn rates of $100-$180 per hour in higher-cost areas. Negotiating pay may benefit from emphasizing specialized skills like medical gas certification or experience in residential versus industrial plumbing work, further illustrating the varied landscape of plumber compensation in Harlingen.
More salary data for Harlingen, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Harlingen in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Harlingen?
Are plumbers in Harlingen paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Harlingen?
Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in Harlingen?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 Harlingen. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Harlingen is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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