Plumber Hourly Pay in Appleton, WI: $45.22 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Appleton, WI runs $45.22 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $94,062 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Appleton's regional price level (BEA RPP 92.4, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $48.93 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $56,437 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
For plumbers in Appleton, WI, the projected median hourly pay in 2026 stands at $45.22, which significantly exceeds the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate translates into solid earnings potential for those working part-time or in per-diem roles. A three-day workweek, for instance, allows plumbers to maximize their income while enjoying more manageable schedules. The hourly wage range spans from $26.08 for entry-level positions to as high as $59.08 for top earners, reflecting a broad spectrum of experience and expertise in various plumbing environments. Plumbers engaged in diverse activities such as commercial construction, residential service calls, and specialized installations in medical and industrial settings can effectively utilize this hourly data to assess opportunities.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $26.08 | $208.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.09 | $240.72 |
| Median (P50) | $45.22 | $361.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $51.60 | $412.79 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $59.08 | $472.66 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Appleton
Based on $45.22/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $45.22/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Appleton, WI can expect to earn approximately $94,061 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $54,266. With a cost-of-living index of 92.42 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Appleton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Appleton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,808.86 | $7,838 | $94,061 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,085.32 | $4,703 | $56,437 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $723.55 | $3,135 | $37,624 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Appleton) | $45.22 |
| 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 Appleton, WI earn a median of $94,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.81% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 7.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $87,337.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $45.22/hr = $56,437/year (purchasing power: $61,066).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $94,061/year (purchasing power: $101,777).
CoL index: 92.419 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$32.64/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$44.11/hr
2026 Current Est.
$45.22/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $32.64/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $33.69/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $37.28/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.58/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.60/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $41.29/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $44.11/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $45.22/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $46.36/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Appleton grew 35.1% from $32.64/hr (2019) to $44.11/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $46.36/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 Appleton 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 Appleton
Analyzing part-time earning potential reveals that a plumber working 24 hours a week could earn around $56,190 annually, a figure that starkly contrasts with full-time earnings. For those in per-diem roles, especially travel pipefitters on industrial projects, compensation can soar with base rates of $40-$65 per hour, supplemented by daily per diem pay ranging from $100 to $175. Service plumbers may also command minimum call-out fees of $150 to $300, which adds value to their hourly work. Hourly rates vary considerably among employer types in Appleton, with unionized plumbing contractors commanding higher premiums compared to non-union shops. Self-employed plumbers might get a higher effective rate of $100-$180 per hour, depending on the market. Plumbers often weigh the trade-offs of accepting lower wages for positions with health benefits versus pursuing higher pay that lacks such coverage. For those negotiating hourly rates, it's advisable to research local market rates and consider the specific skill sets they bring, such as medical gas certification or backflow prevention credentials, to maximize their earning potential in Appleton.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 Appleton. 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