Plumber Salary in Kailua, HI: $77,352 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Kailua, HI earns a median $77,352/year (≈ $37.18/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Kailua's price level (19% above national, BEA RPP 119.3), that paycheck buys what $64,838 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Hawaii state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kailua, Hawaii, the plumber salary is significantly influenced by the union versus non-union employment landscape, with the 2026 median annual salary projected at $77,352. This figure positions Kailua's plumber compensation at about 18.26% higher than the national median salary of $65,408, reflecting local economic conditions and market demands. Salaries in this region span a range from $55,005 at the 10th percentile to $119,896 at the 90th percentile, underscoring a potential for varied earnings within the profession. These estimates, derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price parity, indicate that plumbers in Kailua could experience a robust and competitive wage environment, particularly if they align with unionized employers.
About the Kailua Market
Salary estimated from Hawaii average ($78,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,005 | $26.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $61,125 | $29.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $77,352 | $37.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $99,011 | $47.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $119,896 | $57.65 |
Median Salary Position
18.26% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kailua
In Kailua, HI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $64,891 (2026 est.). At $77,352, the local median is 18.26% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kailua: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kailua Plumber Pay Compares
Kailua median: $77,352/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kailua Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $78,055 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +18.26% more |
Plumbers in Kailua, HI earn a median of $77,352 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.26% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.90% below the Hawaii state average of $78,055.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kailua has a cost of living 19.30% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kailua, HI has a cost-of-living index of 119.3 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $77,352 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,838 — a 16.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$65,233
2025 BLS Actual
$75,451
2026 Current Est.
$77,352
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Kailua (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $65,233 | Actual |
| 2020 | $66,617 | Actual |
| 2021 | $70,815 | Actual |
| 2022 | $71,063 | Actual |
| 2023 | $72,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,245 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,451 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $77,352 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $79,302 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kailua metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $65,233 (2019) to $75,451 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $79,302 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,069 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kailua 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) | $55,005 – $61,125 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $61,125 – $77,352 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $77,352 – $99,011 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $99,011 – $119,896 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Kailua
The job market in Kailua is relatively contained, with only six plumbers currently employed in the area, suggesting a localized but stable employment sector. Plumbers face a cost-of-living index of 119.3, meaning that higher salaries are necessary for maintaining purchasing power. Among local employers, those aligning with the United Association (UA) typically offer the highest pay scales, benefiting from the union's structured wage rates. Conversely, non-union service plumbing jobs such as those with companies like Roto-Rooter often feature commission structures that can yield higher earnings during peak demand but may result in income variability. The disparity in wages can also arise from specialties in medical gas or industrial plumbing, where additional certifications command higher wages. To maximize earnings in Kailua, plumbers may consider obtaining advanced licenses and certifications and exploring union affiliations, as these paths often lead to greater financial stability and opportunities for overtime.
More salary data for Kailua, HI:
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 $75,451 for plumbersin the Kailua 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 Kailua 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