Plumber Salary in Tempe, AZ: $60,403 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Tempe, AZ earns a median $60,403/year (≈ $29.04/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Tempe's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $61,323 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the Arizona state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tempe, Arizona, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is set at $60,403, which is approximately 7.65% lower than the national median of $65,408. This local estimate ranges between $43,023 at the 10th percentile and $93,624 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the diverse opportunities within the field. Plumbers in Tempe may experience a unique blend of pay structures, depending on whether they work for large service companies, specialize as self-employed contractors, or join union operations under organizations like the UA (United Association). As the labor market in Tempe adapts to the rising demand for skilled plumbers, particularly in residential and commercial sectors, the economic dynamics for both employed and self-employed professionals are crucial for evaluating their career paths.
About the Tempe Market
Salary estimated from Arizona average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,023 | $20.69 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,149 | $23.15 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,403 | $29.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,315 | $37.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $93,624 | $45.02 |
Median Salary Position
7.65% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tempe
In Tempe, AZ, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,601 (2026 est.). At $60,403, the local median is 7.65% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tempe: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tempe Plumber Pay Compares
Tempe median: $60,403/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tempe Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $60,162 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -7.65% less |
Plumbers in Tempe, AZ earn a median of $60,403 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.65% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.40% above the Arizona state average of $60,162.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tempe has a cost of living 1.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tempe, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 98.5 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $60,403 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,323 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.52% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,939
2025 BLS Actual
$58,918
2026 Current Est.
$60,403
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Tempe (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,939 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,020 | Actual |
| 2021 | $55,298 | Actual |
| 2022 | $55,492 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,328 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,918 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,403 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,925 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tempe metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $50,939 (2019) to $58,918 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,925 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,986 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tempe 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) | $43,023 – $48,149 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,149 – $60,403 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,403 – $77,315 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,315 – $93,624 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Tempe
In the Tempe job market, 43 plumbers are currently employed, highlighting a tight-knit community of professionals amid a cost of living index of 98.5, which is slightly below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance take-home purchasing power for plumbers, yet it also brings challenges in competitive salary negotiations. Pay in the region typically varies based on specialization, with union memberships significantly affecting earnings due to their premium rates over non-union scenarios. Employers such as industrial maintenance teams, municipal water utilities, and specialty contractors commanding higher wages contrast with service companies that often provide commission-based compensation. To maximize income in Tempe, plumbers should consider acquiring additional credentials, such as medical gas or backflow prevention certifications, to open further opportunities while taking advantage of the growing demand driven by an aging infrastructure and workforce.
More salary data for Tempe, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can plumbers make $100K in Tempe?
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Related Pages
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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 $58,918 for plumbersin the Tempe 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
Salary data for Tempe 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