Plumber Salary in Topeka, KS: $76,982 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Topeka, KS earns a median $76,982/year (≈ $37.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Topeka's price level (11% below national, BEA RPP 88.8), that paycheck buys what $86,672 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 29.5% above the Kansas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Topeka can expect a median annual salary of $76,982, which reflects a significant premium relative to the national average of $65,408. Their earnings will range from $46,913 at the lower end to $97,507 for the highest compensated professionals. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates an evolving job market for plumbing professionals where self-employed contractors may find lucrative opportunities but face the challenges of variable income and operational costs. Alternatively, working as an employed plumber within established companies presents stability and benefits, appealing especially to those entering the industry. As Topeka's demand for skilled plumbing services grows, understanding these distinctions in pay can help potential applicants make informed career decisions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,913 | $22.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,307 | $24.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $76,982 | $37.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $91,909 | $44.19 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,507 | $46.88 |
Median Salary Position
17.70% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Topeka
In Topeka, KS, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,594 (2026 est.). At $76,982, the local median is 17.7% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Topeka: You'd be above the median
How Topeka Plumber Pay Compares
Topeka median: $76,982/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Topeka Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,446 | +29.50% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +17.70% more |
Plumbers in Topeka, KS earn a median of $76,982 per year (2026 est.), which is 17.70% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 29.50% above the Kansas state average of $59,446.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Topeka has a cost of living 11.18% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Topeka, KS has a cost-of-living index of 88.82 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $76,982 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,672 in an average-cost city — an effective 12.59% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,920
2025 BLS Actual
$75,090
2026 Current Est.
$76,982
2019–2027 Growth
+43.7%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Topeka (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,920 | Actual |
| 2020 | $64,110 | Actual |
| 2021 | $51,230 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $73,790 | Actual |
| 2025 | $75,090 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $76,982 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $78,922 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Topeka metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 36.7% from $54,920 (2019) to $75,090 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $78,922 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,002 (43.70%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Topeka 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) | $46,913 – $50,307 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,307 – $76,982 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $76,982 – $91,909 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $91,909 – $97,507 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Topeka
The local plumbing market in Topeka currently has about 420 professionals influencing the wages in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 88.82, plumbing salaries here deliver a decent purchasing power compared to many places nationally. The most competitive pay often comes from union plumbing contractors under the United Association, while non-union service providers like Roto-Rooter offer commission structures that can yield varying income depending on workload and performance. Specialized roles, particularly in medical gas installation or industrial needs, usually command higher wages due to limited available talent. As such, plumbers seeking to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining relevant certifications and licenses, developing skills in high-demand areas, and considering union membership to leverage better pay rates in Topeka’s evolving job market.
More salary data for Topeka, KS:
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 $75,090 for plumbersin the Topeka 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