Plumber Hourly Pay in Wauwatosa, WI: $39.79 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Wauwatosa, WI runs $39.79 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $82,766 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Wauwatosa's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.4, 7% below national), each hour of work buys what $42.60 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $49,655 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Wauwatosa, Wisconsin, the plumber hourly pay averages $39.79, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This elevated rate reflects the local demand for skilled plumbing professionals and the diverse opportunities within various work settings such as commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and even specialized fields like medical gas installations in hospitals. For those working part-time, say three days a week, this translates to a stable income while maintaining flexibility. Entry-level plumbers can expect to earn around $28.69 per hour, whereas experienced professionals or those in specialized roles can command rates up to $61.68, reinforcing the potential for lucrative earnings based on skill level and experience.
About the Wauwatosa Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $28.69 | $229.48 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $31.70 | $253.59 |
| Median (P50) | $39.79 | $318.30 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $50.93 | $407.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.68 | $493.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Wauwatosa
Based on $39.79/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $39.79/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Wauwatosa, WI can expect to earn approximately $82,759 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $47,746. With a cost-of-living index of 93.40 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Wauwatosa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Wauwatosa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,591.52 | $6,897 | $82,759 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $954.91 | $4,138 | $49,655 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $636.61 | $2,759 | $33,104 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Wauwatosa) | $39.79 |
| 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 Wauwatosa, WI earn a median of $82,766 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.54% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 5.20% below the Wisconsin state average of $87,306.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $39.79/hr = $49,655/year (purchasing power: $53,164).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $82,759/year (purchasing power: $88,607).
CoL index: 93.4 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$33.55/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$38.81/hr
2026 Current Est.
$39.79/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Wauwatosa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $33.55/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.27/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.43/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $36.55/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $37.44/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $30.65/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $38.81/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $39.79/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $40.79/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Wauwatosa grew 15.7% from $33.55/hr (2019) to $38.81/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $40.79/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 Wauwatosa 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 Wauwatosa
For part-time plumbers working approximately 24 hours a week, the annual income can be effectively managed, but it varies compared to full-time workers. The per-diem plumber pay in Wauwatosa, particularly for pipeline fitters and steamfitters, often includes additional compensation, ranging from $100 to $175 per day for lodging and food on out-of-town assignments, which augments their base pay of $40 to $65 per hour. Self-employed plumbers in higher-cost markets can effectively charge between $100 and $180 per hour, giving them more control over their earnings. Additionally, wages fluctuate depending on the employer type; unionized positions typically offer better benefits and security, although some plumbers choose the higher pay of non-union jobs to offset the lack of health benefits. These considerations make it critical for plumbers to negotiate effectively, balancing hourly compensation against the security of benefits when contemplating their employment options in Wauwatosa and the wider WI area.
More salary data for Wauwatosa, 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 Wauwatosa. 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 Wauwatosa 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