Plumber Salary in Urban Honolulu, HI: $83,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Urban Honolulu, HI earns a median $83,164/year (≈ $39.98/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Urban Honolulu's price level (11% above national, BEA RPP 111.0), that paycheck buys what $74,949 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% above the Hawaii state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Urban Honolulu, HI, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $83,164, significantly higher than the national median of $65,408. The salary range varies widely, from $50,706 at the 10th percentile to $117,980 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the different types of work and employment conditions in the region. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Office of Employment and Wage Statistics surveys, highlights a substantial pay gap, particularly influenced by the distinction between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers. Union roles under the United Association (UA) dominate this market, typically offering a premium of 30-50% over non-union counterparts, making it a more attractive option for skilled tradespeople.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,706 | $24.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $65,008 | $31.26 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $83,164 | $39.98 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,269 | $48.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,980 | $56.72 |
Median Salary Position
27.15% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Urban Honolulu
In Urban Honolulu, HI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $67,274 (2026 est.). At $83,164, the local median is 27.15% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Urban Honolulu: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Urban Honolulu Plumber Pay Compares
Urban Honolulu median: $83,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Urban Honolulu Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Hawaii Average | $78,015 | +6.60% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +27.15% more |
Plumbers in Urban Honolulu, HI earn a median of $83,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.15% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 6.60% above the Hawaii state average of $78,015.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Urban Honolulu has a cost of living 10.96% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Urban Honolulu, HI has a cost-of-living index of 110.961 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $83,164 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $74,949 — a 9.88% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,060
2025 BLS Actual
$81,120
2026 Current Est.
$83,164
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Urban Honolulu (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,620 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,520 | Actual |
| 2024 | $78,540 | Actual |
| 2025 | $81,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $83,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $85,260 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Urban Honolulu metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 22.8% from $66,060 (2019) to $81,120 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $85,260 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,200 (29.06%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Urban Honolulu 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) | $50,706 – $65,008 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $65,008 – $83,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $83,164 – $101,269 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,269 – $117,980 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Urban Honolulu
The job market for plumbers in Urban Honolulu is robust, with 1,810 professionals currently employed. However, the cost of living is notably high, with a cost of living index of 110.961, placing a pressure on take-home salaries. Employers that tend to offer the most competitive pay include union plumbing contractors, industrial maintenance teams in manufacturing plants, and certain self-employed plumbers who can command higher fees. The pay variations stem from multiple factors: union versus non-union wages, specialty areas like medical gas installation and backflow prevention, and the business model underpinning service companies which often use commission structures for income. For those navigating the plumbing landscape in Urban Honolulu, obtaining advanced credentials, such as a master plumbing license or specializing in high-demand areas, can enhance earning potential and job security, ensuring that they remain competitive in this thriving market.
More salary data for Urban Honolulu, 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 $81,120 for plumbersin the Urban Honolulu 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