Plumber Salary

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.

$48,886
Median Annual Salary
$23.51/hr
Hourly Rate
$33,444
Entry Level (P10)
$75,773
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Plumber Hourly Rate in Harlingen, TX — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Harlingen, TX plumber hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a plumber in Harlingen earning $23.51/hr would make approximately $28,209 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $48,896 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$28,209Reduced (32 hr/wk)$37,613Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$48,896

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$188.06
per 8hr shift
$940.31
per week
$4,075
per month
$48,896
per year

Schedule Comparison in Harlingen

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing plumber median salary in Harlingen ($48,886) with Texas average ($55,678) and the US national median ($65,408).Harlingen$48,886Texas Avg$55,678-12.20%US National$65,408-25.26%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for plumbers in Harlingen. Baseline $19.82/hr in 2025, projected to $24.10/hr by 2027.$18$21$23$26$282019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$19.82$20.25$21.52$21.60$22.12$26.97$22.93$23.51$24.10
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$19.82/hrActual
2020$20.25/hrActual
2021$21.52/hrActual
2022$21.60/hrActual
2023$22.12/hrActual
2024$26.97/hrActual
2025$22.93/hrActual
2026(current)$23.51/hrEstimated
2027$24.10/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Harlingen metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Harlingen in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for plumbers in Harlingen is $23.51/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.52% annual growth). Rates range from $16.08 at entry level (10th percentile) to $36.43 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 25.3% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time plumbers make in Harlingen?

A part-time plumber working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Harlingen earns approximately $2,445/month, or $29,338/year at the median hourly rate of $23.51. Many plumbers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are plumbers in Harlingen paid hourly or salary?

The majority of plumbers in Harlingen are paid hourly at a median rate of $23.51/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $48,896/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Harlingen?

A full-time plumber working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Harlingen earns approximately $48,896/year at the median hourly rate of $23.51. This is 25.3% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $75,765/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in Harlingen?

Part-time and per diem plumbers in Harlingen sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $36.43/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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ST

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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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