Plumber Salary in Garden City, KS: $58,923 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Garden City, KS earns a median $58,923/year (≈ $28.33/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Garden City's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $64,822 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.9% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumber salaries in Garden City, Kansas, project a median annual compensation of $58,923, falling significantly below the national median of $65,408. The local salary range spans from $41,877 at the lower end to $91,331 at the higher end, providing a wide spectrum of earning potential. These figures represent estimates derived from BLS state-level data and regional price adjustments, reflecting the unique economic conditions of Garden City. Within this market, the pay gap between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers is particularly pronounced, with union wages typically commanding a premium of 30-50%. This disparity shapes job expectations for both positions in the area, highlighting the importance of union affiliations for those seeking to maximize their earnings.
About the Garden City Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,877 | $20.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,547 | $22.38 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,923 | $28.33 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $75,422 | $36.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $91,331 | $43.91 |
Median Salary Position
9.91% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garden City
In Garden City, KS, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $49,454 (2026 est.). At $58,923, the local median is 9.91% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garden City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garden City Plumber Pay Compares
Garden City median: $58,923/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garden City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,458 | -0.90% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -9.91% less |
Plumbers in Garden City, KS earn a median of $58,923 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.91% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.90% below the Kansas state average of $59,458.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garden City has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garden City, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $58,923 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $64,822 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$49,692
2025 BLS Actual
$57,475
2026 Current Est.
$58,923
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Garden City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $49,692 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,746 | Actual |
| 2021 | $53,944 | Actual |
| 2022 | $54,133 | Actual |
| 2023 | $55,448 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,449 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,475 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,923 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,408 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garden City metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $49,692 (2019) to $57,475 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,408 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,716 (21.56%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garden City 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) | $41,877 – $46,547 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,547 – $58,923 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,923 – $75,422 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $75,422 – $91,331 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Garden City
Within Garden City, the local job market remains modest, with only six plumbers currently employed in the area. The cost of living index in Garden City stands at 90.9, indicating favorable housing costs and a potentially higher take-home purchasing power for licensed plumbers compared to many national averages. Employers who offer the most competitive wages typically include union plumbing contractors, industrial maintenance teams from manufacturing plants, and large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS/Rescue Rooter. The substantial variance in pay can be attributed to factors such as specialized services, union memberships, and varying levels of required licenses. For those looking to increase their plumber pay in Garden City, acquiring additional qualifications such as medical gas certification or backflow prevention skills can enhance marketability and income potential. Furthermore, exploring opportunities with industrial and governmental sectors may lead to higher earnings compared to residential plumbing work.
More salary data for Garden City, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Garden City, KS in 2026?
Is Garden City, KS a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Garden City?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Garden City?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Garden City?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Kansas
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 $57,475 for plumbersin the Garden City 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 Garden City 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