Plumber Salary in West Des Moines, IA: $75,937 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in West Des Moines, IA earns a median $75,937/year (≈ $36.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in West Des Moines's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $84,001 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.6% above the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in West Des Moines, IA, can expect a median annual salary of $75,937, reflecting a robust demand for skilled tradespeople in the area. The salary range for plumbers varies significantly, spanning from $54,294 at the 10th percentile to $117,702 at the 90th percentile. These figures are derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for local cost-of-living factors, which is important given the area's relatively low cost-of-living index of 90.4. Specialty plumbing skills, particularly in medical gas and industrial applications, add a premium to earnings, boosting potential incomes and creating opportunities for those willing to upgrade their credentials in an evolving job market.
About the West Des Moines Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,294 | $26.10 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,816 | $28.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $75,937 | $36.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $97,199 | $46.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $117,702 | $56.59 |
Median Salary Position
16.10% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in West Des Moines
In West Des Moines, IA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,408 (2026 est.). At $75,937, the local median is 16.1% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in West Des Moines: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How West Des Moines Plumber Pay Compares
West Des Moines median: $75,937/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | West Des Moines Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $64,572 | +17.60% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +16.10% more |
Plumbers in West Des Moines, IA earn a median of $75,937 per year (2026 est.), which is 16.10% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 17.60% above the Iowa state average of $64,572.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
West Des Moines has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
West Des Moines, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $75,937 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $84,001 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$64,039
2025 BLS Actual
$74,070
2026 Current Est.
$75,937
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in West Des Moines (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,039 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,398 | Actual |
| 2021 | $69,519 | Actual |
| 2022 | $69,763 | Actual |
| 2023 | $71,458 | Actual |
| 2024 | $54,771 | Actual |
| 2025 | $74,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $75,937 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $77,850 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the West Des Moines metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $64,039 (2019) to $74,070 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $77,850 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,811 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the West Des Moines 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) | $54,294 – $58,816 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,816 – $75,937 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $75,937 – $97,199 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $97,199 – $117,702 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in West Des Moines
With a workforce of just 16 plumbers, the job market in West Des Moines remains confined yet competitive. Plumber pay in West Des Moines, IA, exhibits variation shaped by employer type: union contractors typically provide higher wages due to established agreements, while non-union and service companies, such as Roto-Rooter, pay commission-based rates that can lead to variable earnings. The local cost of living also impacts take-home pay, creating a landscape where effective pricing strategies and enhanced skills — particularly in high-demand areas like medical gas and backflow prevention — are essential for maximizing compensation. The demographics of the plumbing workforce are also telling; as many plumbers near retirement age, job openings are expected to increase, further enhancing the importance of specialized training for those entering the field.
More salary data for West Des Moines, IA:
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 $74,070 for plumbersin the West Des Moines 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 West Des Moines 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