Plumber Salary in Arkansas: $51,041 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Arkansas's 21 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $51,041/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Arkansas sits at BEA RPP 86.9 (13% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $58,735 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Rogers ($52,952), Springdale ($52,915), Fayetteville ($52,100).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in Arkansas is projected to be $51,041, which is significantly lower than the national average of $65,408, representing a gap of 22.0%. The highest-paying city in the state is Rogers, with a salary of $54,286, while Van Buren offers the lowest at $46,011. The disparity in salaries between these cities can be attributed to factors such as local cost of living, demand for plumbing services, and the presence of commercial development. Plumbers in Arkansas must adhere to specific state licensing requirements, which can affect job opportunities and earnings potential. The scope of practice laws regulate what tasks plumbers can perform, and these can vary by jurisdiction within the state. A steady demand for plumbing services, driven by population growth and infrastructure needs, supports a projected annual growth rate of 2.52% in employment for plumbers. With a total of 2,401 plumbers employed across 21 metro areas, the job market remains strong, particularly in cities like Springdale and Fayetteville, with projected salaries of $54,248 and $53,413, respectively. Understanding these dynamics can assist aspiring plumbers in making informed career decisions in Arkansas.
Arkansas Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Arkansas: $31,197 (lowest entry-level) to $84,144 (highest top earner)
Arkansas vs National Average
Arkansas plumbers earn 21.97% less than the national median ($-14,367/year difference).
Arkansas Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Arkansas range from $36,603 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $70,591 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $51,041. The Arkansas median is $14,367 below the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $24.54/hr. Approximately 2,401 plumbers are employed across 21 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$45,872
2025 BLS Actual
$49,786
2026 Current Est.
$51,041
2019–2027 Growth
+14.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Arkansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,872 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,577 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,371 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,980 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,846 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,457 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,786 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,041 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,327 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Arkansas metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 8.5% from $45,872 (2019) to $49,786 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,327 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,455 (14.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Arkansas 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 Arkansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Arkansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Van Buren | $46,011 |
| Bryant | $46,838 |
| Searcy | $47,193 |
| Cabot | $47,691 |
| Russellville | $47,907 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Arkansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Arkansas cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rogers | $54,286 | 86.9 | $62,470 |
| Springdale | $54,248 | 86.9 | $62,426 |
| Fayetteville | $53,413 | 91.353 | $58,469 |
| Fort Smith | $49,568 | 85.888 | $57,712 |
| North Little Rock | $49,685 | 86.9 | $57,175 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Arkansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $36,603 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $51,041 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $70,591 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Arkansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 21 Cities in Arkansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Rogers | $54,286 |
| 2 | Springdale | $54,248 |
| 3 | Fayetteville | $53,413 |
| 4 | Little Rock | $50,430 |
| 5 | North Little Rock | $49,685 |
| 6 | Fort Smith | $49,568 |
| 7 | Conway | $49,358 |
| 8 | Texarkana | $49,286 |
| 9 | Jacksonville | $49,211 |
| 10 | Bentonville | $48,969 |
| 11 | Benton | $48,561 |
| 12 | Paragould | $48,422 |
| 13 | Pine Bluff | $48,383 |
| 14 | Jonesboro | $48,215 |
| 15 | Sherwood | $48,160 |
| 16 | Hot Springs | $48,000 |
| 17 | Russellville | $47,907 |
| 18 | Cabot | $47,691 |
| 19 | Searcy | $47,193 |
| 20 | Bryant | $46,838 |
| 21 | Van Buren | $46,011 |
More Arkansas Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Arkansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Arkansas?
How does Arkansas plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Arkansas?
How many plumbers are employed in Arkansas?
Which Arkansas 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 Arkansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 21 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