Plumber Salary in Alabama: $59,832 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Alabama's 24 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $59,832/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Alabama sits at BEA RPP 87.9 (12% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $68,068 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Florence ($60,590), Birmingham ($60,090), Decatur ($59,920).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in Alabama is projected to be $59,832, which is 8.5% lower than the national median of $65,408. The city of Florence offers the highest pay at $62,117, while Gadsden has the lowest at $48,543, reflecting a salary gap of $13,574. Factors influencing this disparity include local economic conditions, cost of living, and demand relative to the plumbing workforce in each area. Alabama requires plumbers to have state licensing, which necessitates completing an apprenticeship and passing an exam. This ensures a standard level of training and competency among licensed professionals. Demand for skilled plumbers is driven by ongoing construction projects, infrastructure improvements, and maintenance needs across residential and commercial sectors. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.52%, the job market for plumbers in the state appears solid, supported by continuous demand. Areas like Birmingham, Decatur, Tuscaloosa, and Mobile all show promising salary figures close to the state average, indicating stable opportunities for those entering or advancing in the profession. Overall, while salaries in Alabama trail the national average, the market is expected to remain steady, offering a reliable career path.
Alabama Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Alabama: $28,757 (lowest entry-level) to $113,449 (highest top earner)
Alabama vs National Average
Alabama plumbers earn 8.52% less than the national median ($-5,576/year difference).
Alabama Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Alabama range from $38,818 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $79,819 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $59,832. The Alabama median is $5,576 below the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $28.77/hr. Approximately 5,828 plumbers are employed across 24 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,495
2025 BLS Actual
$58,361
2026 Current Est.
$59,832
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Alabama (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,495 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,272 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,451 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,985 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,761 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,982 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,361 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,832 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,339 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Alabama metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 22.9% from $47,495 (2019) to $58,361 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,339 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,844 (29.15%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alabama 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Alabama
Lowest Paying Cities in Alabama
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Alabama
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Alabama cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | $62,117 | 84.817 | $73,236 |
| Decatur | $61,430 | 87.212 | $70,438 |
| Tuscaloosa | $61,030 | 87.722 | $69,572 |
| Mobile | $60,907 | 88.098 | $69,136 |
| Anniston | $58,283 | 85.949 | $67,811 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Alabama
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $38,818 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $59,832 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $79,819 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Alabama metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 24 Cities in Alabama
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Florence | $62,117 |
| 2 | Birmingham | $61,604 |
| 3 | Decatur | $61,430 |
| 4 | Tuscaloosa | $61,030 |
| 5 | Mobile | $60,907 |
| 6 | Hoover | $59,541 |
| 7 | Montgomery | $59,421 |
| 8 | Daphne | $58,518 |
| 9 | Huntsville | $58,457 |
| 10 | Anniston | $58,283 |
| 11 | Phenix City | $58,026 |
| 12 | Prattville | $57,711 |
| 13 | Northport | $57,582 |
| 14 | Madison | $57,495 |
| 15 | Alabaster | $57,138 |
| 16 | Enterprise | $57,047 |
| 17 | Homewood | $56,973 |
| 18 | Vestavia Hills | $56,613 |
| 19 | Albertville | $56,484 |
| 20 | Pelham | $54,533 |
| 21 | Auburn | $52,870 |
| 22 | Opelika | $52,643 |
| 23 | Dothan | $50,307 |
| 24 | Gadsden | $48,543 |
More Alabama Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Alabama in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Alabama?
How does Alabama plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Alabama?
How many plumbers are employed in Alabama?
Which Alabama city offers the best value for plumbers?
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
Statewide salary 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 each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Alabama. State averages are employment-weighted across 24 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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