Plumber Salary in Kansas: $65,233 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Kansas's 22 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $65,233/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Kansas sits at BEA RPP 90.9 (9% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $71,763 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Kansas City ($76,634), Topeka ($75,090), Wichita ($60,940).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in Kansas is projected to be $65,233, which is slightly below the national median of $65,408 by 0.3%. The most lucrative opportunities are found in Kansas City, where plumbers can expect to earn about $78,565, while those in Emporia may only make $54,889, highlighting a salary gap of $23,676. This disparity is influenced by factors such as local demand, cost of living, and the concentration of plumbing projects in urban areas like Kansas City and Topeka, where salaries are also higher, projected at $76,982. Kansas requires plumbers to obtain state licensing, which includes completing a certain amount of apprenticeship training and passing relevant exams. The scope of practice laws in Kansas allow licensed plumbers to engage in various job functions, contributing to steady demand driven by ongoing construction and home renovation projects. With a projected annual growth rate of 2.52%, the job market for plumbers in Kansas is expected to remain stable. The total employment for the profession stands at 2,001, indicating a solid foundation for job seekers in this field across various cities, including Wichita, Manhattan, and Lawrence, where salaries are projected to range from $60,774 to $62,476.
Kansas Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Kansas: $37,768 (lowest entry-level) to $121,776 (highest top earner)
Kansas vs National Average
Kansas plumbers earn 0.27% less than the national median ($-175/year difference).
Kansas Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Kansas range from $41,638 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $97,515 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $65,233. The Kansas median is $175 below the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $31.36/hr. Approximately 2,001 plumbers are employed across 22 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$47,124
2025 BLS Actual
$63,630
2026 Current Est.
$65,233
2019–2027 Growth
+41.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Kansas (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $47,124 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,752 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,257 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,986 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,094 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,403 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,630 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,233 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,877 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kansas metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 35.0% from $47,124 (2019) to $63,630 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,877 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,753 (41.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kansas 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.
Top 5 Highest Paying Cities in Kansas
Lowest Paying Cities in Kansas
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Emporia | $54,889 |
| Gardner | $55,135 |
| Liberal | $55,452 |
| Hays | $55,666 |
| Prairie Village | $55,832 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Kansas
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Kansas cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Topeka | $76,982 | 88.82 | $86,672 |
| Kansas City | $78,565 | 90.9 | $86,430 |
| Wichita | $62,476 | 88.946 | $70,240 |
| Manhattan | $62,127 | 90.162 | $68,906 |
| Lawrence | $60,774 | 90.243 | $67,345 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Kansas
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $41,638 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $65,233 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $97,515 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Kansas metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 22 Cities in Kansas
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kansas City | $78,565 |
| 2 | Topeka | $76,982 |
| 3 | Wichita | $62,476 |
| 4 | Manhattan | $62,127 |
| 5 | Lawrence | $60,774 |
| 6 | Overland Park | $60,427 |
| 7 | Olathe | $59,658 |
| 8 | Lenexa | $59,513 |
| 9 | Garden City | $58,923 |
| 10 | Derby | $58,629 |
| 11 | Hutchinson | $58,163 |
| 12 | Leavenworth | $58,144 |
| 13 | Shawnee | $57,959 |
| 14 | Salina | $57,531 |
| 15 | Leawood | $57,212 |
| 16 | Dodge City | $56,249 |
| 17 | Junction City | $56,069 |
| 18 | Prairie Village | $55,832 |
| 19 | Hays | $55,666 |
| 20 | Liberal | $55,452 |
| 21 | Gardner | $55,135 |
| 22 | Emporia | $54,889 |
More Kansas Salary Data
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Kansas in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Kansas?
How does Kansas plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Kansas?
How many plumbers are employed in Kansas?
Which Kansas city offers the best value for plumbers?
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
Statewide 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. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to each metro area's reported salary to estimate current 2026 plumber compensation across Kansas. State averages are employment-weighted across 22 metro areas — larger metro areas with more plumberscontribute proportionally more to the average, producing figures that better reflect typical compensation. Individual pay varies by city, employer, certifications, and experience.
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