Plumber Salary in Dalton, GA: $48,564 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Dalton, GA earns a median $48,564/year (≈ $23.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Dalton's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 89.8), that paycheck buys what $54,054 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.9% below the Georgia state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Dalton, Georgia, can expect a median annual salary of $48,564, reflecting local conditions that can vary widely. Salaries range from $38,619 at the 10th percentile to $74,358 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial potential for those in specialized fields such as medical gas installation or industrial pipefitting. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, highlights the competitive nature of plumbing compensation in Dalton. For professionals considering this area, the job market is bolstered by a mix of residential, commercial, and industrial opportunities, positioning Dalton as a viable option for current and aspiring plumbers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,619 | $18.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,470 | $18.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $48,564 | $23.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,332 | $29.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $74,358 | $35.75 |
Median Salary Position
25.75% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Dalton
In Dalton, GA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,739 (2026 est.). At $48,564, the local median is 25.75% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Dalton: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Dalton Plumber Pay Compares
Dalton median: $48,564/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Dalton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Georgia Average | $51,066 | -4.90% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -25.75% less |
Plumbers in Dalton, GA earn a median of $48,564 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.75% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 4.90% below the Georgia state average of $51,066.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Dalton has a cost of living 10.16% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Dalton, GA has a cost-of-living index of 89.844 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $48,564 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,054 in an average-cost city — an effective 11.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$31,870
2025 BLS Actual
$47,370
2026 Current Est.
$48,564
2019–2027 Growth
+56.2%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Dalton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $31,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,750 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,000 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,070 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $47,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $48,564 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $49,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Dalton metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 48.6% from $31,870 (2019) to $47,370 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $49,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $17,918 (56.22%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Dalton 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) | $38,619 – $39,470 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,470 – $48,564 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $48,564 – $62,332 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,332 – $74,358 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Dalton
In the local job market, approximately 90 plumbers are employed in Dalton, GA, which supports a relatively stable demand for plumbing services. The cost-of-living index, sitting at 89.844, suggests that take-home pay carries more purchasing power compared to national averages, allowing for a comfortable lifestyle even at local pay levels. Plumbers can optimize their earnings by seeking opportunities with union plumbing contractors, who often pay more than non-union counterparts. Specialization in high-skill areas like medical gas or backflow prevention can also enhance pay prospects. Strategies for maximizing pay in Dalton include pursuing state plumbing licensing, engaging in continuous education for specialty credentials, and leveraging experiences in both residential service and new construction projects. With an aging workforce contributing to a steady demand for skilled plumbers, it’s essential to stay competitive in skills and certifications to capitalize on emerging opportunities.
More salary data for Dalton, GA:
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 $47,370 for plumbersin the Dalton 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