Plumber Hourly Pay in La Crosse, WI: $40.72 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in La Crosse, WI runs $40.72 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $84,692 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against La Crosse's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.8, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $44.37 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $50,820 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In La Crosse, Wisconsin, the plumber hourly pay is projected to reach $40.72 by 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This favorable rate allows plumbing professionals in La Crosse the potential for lucrative earnings, whether they are working part-time—say three days a week—or on a per-diem basis. The hourly range for plumbers varies considerably, from $24.53 at the entry level to $52.05 for those at the top of the pay scale. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data reflects a range of settings such as residential service calls, industrial construction sites, hospital mechanical rooms, and self-employed plumbing services. With an average cost of living index of 91.769 in La Crosse, these hourly earnings can offer plumbers a comfortable lifestyle while accommodating a diverse range of work opportunities.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $24.53 | $196.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.06 | $240.47 |
| Median (P50) | $40.72 | $325.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $48.31 | $386.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $52.05 | $416.40 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in La Crosse
Based on $40.72/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $40.72/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in La Crosse, WI can expect to earn approximately $84,700 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $48,865. With a cost-of-living index of 91.77 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in La Crosse.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in La Crosse
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,628.84 | $7,058 | $84,700 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $977.30 | $4,235 | $50,820 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $651.54 | $2,823 | $33,880 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (La Crosse) | $40.72 |
| 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 La Crosse, WI earn a median of $84,692 per year (2026 est.), which is 29.48% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 3.00% below the Wisconsin state average of $87,311.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $40.72/hr = $50,820/year (purchasing power: $55,378).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $84,700/year (purchasing power: $92,296).
CoL index: 91.769 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$39.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$40.72/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in La Crosse (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $31.43/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.25/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $37.64/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $36.37/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $37.84/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $39.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $40.72/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $41.75/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in La Crosse grew 5.6% from $37.63/hr (2019) to $39.72/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $41.75/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 La Crosse 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 La Crosse
With a part-time schedule of just 24 hours per week, plumbers can expect to take home a substantial income annually. This translates to about $50,000 yearly, which competes favorably with full-time positions. In contrast, per diem plumber pay in La Crosse can significantly augment earnings for those working on out-of-town projects, often bringing in an additional $100 to $175 daily while earning a base hourly rate between $40 and $65. Hourly rates can differ greatly depending on the type of employer, with union plumbing contractors generally offering a premium of 30% to 50% over non-union service providers. Self-employed plumbers often work in high-cost areas, charging $100 to $180 per hour, while making strategic decisions about benefits versus hourly pay. For those looking to negotiate better rates in La Crosse, understanding the nuances of the market—such as the advantages of being part of a union versus capitalizing on high-demand specialties—can be crucial for ensuring competitive compensation in this growing trade.
More salary data for La Crosse, 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 La Crosse. 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