Plumber Salary in Little Rock, AR: $50,430 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Little Rock, AR earns a median $50,430/year (≈ $24.25/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Little Rock's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 89.4), that paycheck buys what $56,432 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% above the Arkansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Little Rock, AR, the projected median annual plumber salary in 2026 is set at $50,430, which represents a notable 22.90% decrease compared to the national median of $65,408. The estimated salary range for plumbers in this area falls between $35,985 at the 10th percentile and $70,267 at the 90th percentile. These findings derive from 2025 BLS OEWS data and project how much do plumbers make in Little Rock in the near future. Within this market, the wage gap between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers is significant, with union wages typically exceeding their non-union counterparts by 30% to 50%, reflecting the dominance of union representation in higher-paying roles. This situation shapes the competitive landscape for aspiring and current plumbers in the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $35,985 | $17.31 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $38,947 | $18.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,430 | $24.25 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,999 | $30.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,267 | $33.78 |
Median Salary Position
22.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Little Rock
In Little Rock, AR, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,282 (2026 est.). At $50,430, the local median is 22.9% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Little Rock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Little Rock Plumber Pay Compares
Little Rock median: $50,430/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Little Rock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arkansas Average | $49,587 | +1.70% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -22.90% less |
Plumbers in Little Rock, AR earn a median of $50,430 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.90% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.70% above the Arkansas state average of $49,587.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Little Rock has a cost of living 10.64% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Little Rock, AR has a cost-of-living index of 89.364 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $50,430 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,432 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.9% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,390
2025 BLS Actual
$49,190
2026 Current Est.
$50,430
2019–2027 Growth
+2.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Little Rock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,390 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,340 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,470 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,170 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,190 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,430 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,700 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Little Rock metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew -2.4% from $50,390 (2019) to $49,190 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,700 by 2027 — a total increase of $1,310 (2.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Little Rock 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) | $35,985 – $38,947 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $38,947 – $50,430 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,430 – $62,999 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,999 – $70,267 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Little Rock
The local job market for plumbing professionals is robust, with approximately 890 plumbers currently employed across Little Rock. With a cost-of-living index at 89.364, the city's relatively lower living expenses contribute positively to the purchasing power of plumber pay in Little Rock, AR. Employers that tend to offer higher salaries include UA union-affiliated plumbing contractors, industrial maintenance teams, and larger service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS/Rescue Rooter. The discrepancy in wages can be attributed to various factors, including specialty skills such as medical gas certification, union affiliations, and the differences in work structures between service, new construction, and industrial plumbing. For those looking to maximize their earnings in this market, pursuing union membership, obtaining advanced licenses, and specializing in high-demand areas can significantly enhance financial outcomes.
More salary data for Little Rock, AR:
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 $49,190 for plumbersin the Little Rock 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