Plumber Salary in Decatur, AL: $61,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Decatur, AL earns a median $61,430/year (≈ $29.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Decatur's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $70,438 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% above the Alabama state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Decatur, Alabama, the projected median annual plumber salary for 2026 is $61,430, slightly below the national median of $65,408. Salaries for plumbers in this region range from $41,603 at the lower end to $113,449 for those at the highest 10th percentile. This data, derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, reflects the local economic context and job market dynamics. With specialized skills in medical gas, industrial work, and underground utility installation, those plumbers can expect to command higher wages, contributing to the diverse financial landscape for this occupation in Decatur.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,603 | $20.00 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,138 | $23.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,430 | $29.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $76,388 | $36.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,449 | $54.54 |
Median Salary Position
6.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Decatur
In Decatur, AL, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $71,846 (2026 est.). At $61,430, the local median is 6.08% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Decatur: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Decatur Plumber Pay Compares
Decatur median: $61,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Decatur Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Alabama Average | $58,954 | +4.20% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -6.08% less |
Plumbers in Decatur, AL earn a median of $61,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.08% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 4.20% above the Alabama state average of $58,954.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Decatur has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Decatur, AL has a cost-of-living index of 87.212 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $61,430 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,438 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,030
2025 BLS Actual
$59,920
2026 Current Est.
$61,430
2019–2027 Growth
+36.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Decatur (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,030 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,760 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,330 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,190 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,920 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,978 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Decatur metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 30.2% from $46,030 (2019) to $59,920 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,978 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,948 (36.82%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Decatur 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $41,603 – $49,138 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,138 – $61,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,430 – $76,388 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $76,388 – $113,449 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Decatur
The local job market for plumbers in Decatur employs approximately 210 professionals, a figure that indicates a stable demand for plumbing services in the community. With a cost of living index of 87.212, the affordability of living in Decatur affects take-home pay and purchasing power. Employers paying the most typically include union plumbing contractors, where union pipefitter wages often exceed those of non-union service plumbing by 30-50%. Furthermore, specialty skills such as medical gas installation can significantly elevate income potential. Variability in salaries can also be driven by factors like commission structures in service companies and the differences between commercial and residential work. For plumbers looking to maximize their earnings in Decatur, pursuing a master license, gaining specialty certifications, and targeting employment with established unions or high-demand contractors can result in greater financial rewards.
More salary data for Decatur, AL:
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
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. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,920 for plumbersin the Decatur metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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