Plumber Salary in Portage, IN: $76,295 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Portage, IN earns a median $76,295/year (≈ $36.68/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Portage's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.3), that paycheck buys what $83,565 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.4% below the Indiana state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, those working in plumbing can expect to earn a median annual salary of $76,295 in Portage, Indiana, a notable figure compared to the national median of $65,408. The salary range for plumbers in this area spans from $55,039 at the 10th percentile to $118,258 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse spectrum of earning potential based largely on experience, expertise, and the specific sector of plumbing in which one operates. Union pipefitters in Portage, particularly those affiliated with the United Association (UA), tend to dominate the higher end of the salary spectrum, often earning 30-50% more than their non-union counterparts. Given that these figures are estimates based on 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026 with regional cost-of-living adjustments considered, it underscores the robust earning capacity for skilled plumbers in the local job market.
About the Portage Market
Salary estimated from Indiana average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $55,039 | $26.46 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,811 | $29.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,295 | $36.68 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,659 | $46.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $118,258 | $56.86 |
Median Salary Position
16.64% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Portage
In Portage, IN, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,219 (2026 est.). At $76,295, the local median is 16.64% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Portage: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Portage Plumber Pay Compares
Portage median: $76,295/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Portage Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Indiana Average | $78,981 | -3.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +16.64% more |
Plumbers in Portage, IN earn a median of $76,295 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.64% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 3.40% below the Indiana state average of $78,981.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Portage 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.
Portage, IN has a cost-of-living index of 91.3 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $76,295 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $83,565 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.53% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,342
2025 BLS Actual
$74,420
2026 Current Est.
$76,295
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Portage (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,342 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,707 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,847 | Actual |
| 2022 | $70,092 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,795 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,677 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,420 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,295 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,218 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Portage metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $64,342 (2019) to $74,420 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,218 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,876 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Portage 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) | $55,039 – $60,811 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,811 – $76,295 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,295 – $97,659 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,659 – $118,258 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Portage
The plumbing job market in Portage remains relatively small, with only 10 plumbers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index stands at 91.3, suggesting that residents benefit from a lower-than-average living cost, which can enhance take-home purchasing power despite varying salary levels. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors typically provide the most competitive wages, followed by specialized contractors who deal with medical gas and industrial work. The disparities in pay can be attributed to several factors, including the difference in wages between union and non-union positions, the demand for specialized skills, and the opportunity for overtime pay in sectors like industrial maintenance. To maximize earning potential in Portage, plumbers should consider obtaining advanced credentials such as master and contractor licenses, specializing in high-demand areas, and exploring commission-based roles with larger service companies—strategies that can lead to increased financial rewards in this evolving market.
More salary data for Portage, 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 $74,420 for plumbersin the Portage 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 Portage 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