Plumber Salary in Louisiana: $67,140 (2026)
Quick Answer:Across Louisiana's 20 metropolitan areas, the average median plumber pay sits at $67,140/year heading into 2026 — a figure projected from 2025 BLS OEWS wage data for SOC 47-2152. Because Louisiana sits at BEA RPP 90.3 (10% below the U.S. baseline), that statewide median translates to roughly $74,352 in nationally-comparable purchasing power. Highest-paying metros: Baton Rouge ($74,240), Lake Charles ($67,990), Metairie ($62,677).
In 2026, the average median salary for plumbers in Louisiana is projected to be $67,140, which is 2.6% higher than the national median of $65,408. There is a significant salary disparity across cities in the state, with Baton Rouge offering the highest average at $76,111, while Sulphur has the lowest at $55,306, resulting in a difference of $20,805. This gap can be attributed to factors such as local demand for plumbing services, the cost of living, and the concentration of residential and commercial development. Louisiana has specific licensing requirements for plumbers, which include passing a comprehensive exam and completing a certain number of hours in apprenticeship. Additionally, state scope of practice laws dictate the range of tasks that licensed plumbers can perform, influencing the job market dynamics. The demand for plumbers is expected to grow at an annual rate of 2.52%, indicating stable job prospects as the state continues to experience a need for skilled trades due to population growth and infrastructure development. With a total of 7,619 plumbers employed across 20 metropolitan areas, the job market exhibits signs of steady strength, supporting continued opportunities for both new entrants and seasoned professionals in the field.
Louisiana Plumber Salary Range
Overall salary range in Louisiana: $30,920 (lowest entry-level) to $99,597 (highest top earner)
Louisiana vs National Average
Louisiana plumbers earn 2.65% more than the national median (+$1,732/year difference).
Louisiana Plumber Salary Distribution (2026)
Plumber salaries in Louisiana range from $43,367 (entry-level, 10th percentile) to $81,060 (top earners, 90th percentile), with a median of $67,140. The Louisiana median is $1,732 above the US national median of $65,408. The average hourly rate is $32.28/hr. Approximately 7,619 plumbers are employed across 20 cities.
2019 BLS Actual
$54,493
2025 BLS Actual
$65,490
2026 Current Est.
$67,140
2019–2027 Growth
+26.3%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Louisiana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,493 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,034 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,392 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,648 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,720 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,459 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $67,140 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,832 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Louisiana metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 20.2% from $54,493 (2019) to $65,490 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,832 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,339 (26.31%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Louisiana 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 Louisiana
Lowest Paying Cities in Louisiana
| City | Median Salary |
|---|---|
| Sulphur | $55,306 |
| Thibodaux | $55,443 |
| Zachary | $55,625 |
| Natchitoches | $55,891 |
| Houma | $56,632 |
Best Value Cities for Plumbers in Louisiana
When adjusted for local cost of living, these Louisiana cities offer the most purchasing power for plumbers.
| City | Nominal Salary | CoL Index | Adjusted Salary |
|---|---|---|---|
| Baton Rouge | $76,111 | 90.78 | $83,841 |
| Lake Charles | $69,703 | 85.852 | $81,190 |
| Shreveport | $61,225 | 84.766 | $72,228 |
| Metairie | $64,256 | 90.3 | $71,158 |
| Hammond | $59,369 | 84.46 | $70,292 |
Adjusted salary = nominal salary × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average. Lower index = lower cost of living.
Salary by Experience Level in Louisiana
| Experience Level | Estimated Annual |
|---|---|
| Entry Level (0-2 years) | $43,367 |
| Mid Career (3-7 years) | $67,140 |
| Experienced (7+ years) | $81,060 |
Estimates based on BLS percentile data averaged across Louisiana metro areas. Individual pay varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
All 20 Cities in Louisiana
| # | City | Median Salary |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Baton Rouge | $76,111 |
| 2 | Lake Charles | $69,703 |
| 3 | Metairie | $64,256 |
| 4 | New Orleans | $64,024 |
| 5 | Shreveport | $61,225 |
| 6 | Bossier City | $60,253 |
| 7 | Slidell | $60,230 |
| 8 | Lafayette | $59,390 |
| 9 | Hammond | $59,369 |
| 10 | Alexandria | $58,918 |
| 11 | Kenner | $58,598 |
| 12 | Ruston | $57,515 |
| 13 | Central | $57,456 |
| 14 | Monroe | $57,073 |
| 15 | New Iberia | $56,659 |
| 16 | Houma | $56,632 |
| 17 | Natchitoches | $55,891 |
| 18 | Zachary | $55,625 |
| 19 | Thibodaux | $55,443 |
| 20 | Sulphur | $55,306 |
More Louisiana Salary Data
Senior / Experienced
Top earner salaries for experienced plumbers.
Explore More Plumber Salary Data
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Louisiana in 2026?
What is the highest paying city for plumbers in Louisiana?
How does Louisiana plumber pay compare to the national average?
What is the entry-level plumber salary in Louisiana?
How many plumbers are employed in Louisiana?
Which Louisiana 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 Louisiana. State averages are employment-weighted across 20 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