Plumber Salary in Gary, IN: $79,088 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Gary, IN earns a median $79,088/year (≈ $38.02/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Gary's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $86,624 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the median annual salary for a plumber in Gary, Indiana, is projected to reach $79,088, representing a significant 20.91% increase compared to the national median of $65,408. Plumbers in this region can expect to earn between $53,297 and $122,586 annually, depending on their experience, specialties, and employment conditions. These figures are derived from state-level estimates based on BLS 2025 data, which take into account regional price adjustments. Notably, specializing in areas such as medical gas installation or industrial plumbing can add considerable value to a plumber's earning potential, emphasizing the demand for skilled tradespeople in these critical areas of the job market in Gary.
About the Gary Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $53,297 | $25.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,550 | $29.12 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,088 | $38.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $101,232 | $48.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,586 | $58.94 |
Median Salary Position
20.91% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gary
In Gary, IN, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,289 (2026 est.). At $79,088, the local median is 20.91% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gary: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gary Plumber Pay Compares
Gary median: $79,088/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gary Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $79,009 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +20.91% more |
Plumbers in Gary, IN earn a median of $79,088 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.91% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.10% above the Indiana state average of $79,009.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gary has a cost of living 8.70% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gary, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $79,088 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,624 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,697
2025 BLS Actual
$77,144
2026 Current Est.
$79,088
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Gary (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,697 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,112 | Actual |
| 2021 | $72,404 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,658 | Actual |
| 2023 | $74,423 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,679 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,144 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,088 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,081 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gary metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $66,697 (2019) to $77,144 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,081 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,384 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gary 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) | $53,297 – $60,550 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,550 – $79,088 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,088 – $101,232 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $101,232 – $122,586 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Gary
The local job market for plumbers shows a modest employment base, with only 14 individuals currently working in the field. This reflects a limited workforce around the area, which may signal opportunities for entering the trade. With a cost-of-living index of 91.3, plumbers in Gary enjoy relatively enhanced purchasing power, making their salaries stretch further than in many other regions. Employers that tend to offer higher wages include union plumbing contractors affiliated with the UA, which often provide significant pay premiums over non-union shops and residential service roles. Factors affecting the salary range include specialization—where those with certifications in medical gas or backflow prevention tend to earn more—and work environments, with industrial maintenance positions generally commanding higher pay. For plumbers looking to maximize their earnings in Gary, pursuing unionization, expanding into high-demand specialties, or developing strong relationships with a variety of contractors can yield favorable financial outcomes.
More salary data for Gary, IN:
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 $77,144 for plumbersin the Gary 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 Gary 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