Plumber Salary in Muncie, IN: $66,423 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Muncie, IN earns a median $66,423/year (≈ $31.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Muncie's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.1), that paycheck buys what $75,354 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.9% below the Indiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the plumber salary in Muncie is projected to reach a median annual income of $66,423, slightly above the national median of $65,408. This figure reflects a competitive salary range, with earnings spanning from $48,471 at the 10th percentile to $86,537 at the 90th percentile. These numbers, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight the significant pay gap in the Muncie market, particularly between union pipefitters, who may see wages running 30% to 50% higher due to the benefits offered by UA (United Association) membership, and non-union service plumbers. The job market in this region is shaped by the presence of both unionized and non-union sectors, with the latter making up a substantial portion of the workforce.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,471 | $23.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,283 | $28.02 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,423 | $31.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,181 | $32.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,537 | $41.60 |
Median Salary Position
1.55% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Muncie
In Muncie, IN, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,066 (2026 est.). At $66,423, the local median is 1.55% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Muncie: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Muncie Plumber Pay Compares
Muncie median: $66,423/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Muncie Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $78,981 | -15.90% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +1.55% more |
Plumbers in Muncie, IN earn a median of $66,423 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 15.90% below the Indiana state average of $78,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Muncie has a cost of living 11.85% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Muncie, IN has a cost-of-living index of 88.148 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $66,423 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $75,354 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.45% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$62,760
2025 BLS Actual
$64,790
2026 Current Est.
$66,423
2019–2027 Growth
+8.5%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Muncie (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $62,760 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,770 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,930 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,600 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,250 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,790 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,423 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,097 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Muncie metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 3.2% from $62,760 (2019) to $64,790 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,097 by 2027 — a total increase of $5,337 (8.50%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Muncie 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) | $48,471 – $58,283 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,283 – $66,423 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,423 – $67,181 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,181 – $86,537 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Muncie
The local plumbing job market employs about 50 plumbers, contributing to a competitive landscape where the cost of living index stands at 88.148, suggesting that earnings stretch further in Muncie compared to the national average. Employers in the area that pay the highest wages typically include union contractors, large service companies such as Roto-Rooter or ARS, and specialty contractors focused on industrial or medical gas applications. Low to high pay disparities are often driven by the type of plumbing work involved—medical gas and industrial pipefitting roles demand advanced skills and certifications, leading to higher compensation. To maximize income, plumbers might consider obtaining specialized credentials and licenses, pursuing union affiliation, or focusing on high-demand areas such as residential service or industrial maintenance. These strategies could enhance their earning potential significantly within the Muncie IN market.
More salary data for Muncie, 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 $64,790 for plumbersin the Muncie 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