Plumber Salary in New Orleans, LA: $64,024 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in New Orleans, LA earns a median $64,024/year (≈ $30.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in New Orleans's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.6), that paycheck buys what $69,143 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.0% above the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in New Orleans, LA, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,024, reflecting a decrease of 2.12% compared to the national median of $65,408. The salary range for plumbers in the area spans from $40,208 at the 10th percentile to $81,698 at the 90th percentile, showcasing a significant variation in compensation levels. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, illustrates the diverse earning potential available in New Orleans' plumbing sector. The presence of specialized skills such as medical gas certification can elevate a plumber's earnings, underscoring the importance of credentials in this competitive job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,208 | $19.34 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,101 | $25.05 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,024 | $30.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,679 | $37.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $81,698 | $39.28 |
Median Salary Position
2.12% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in New Orleans
In New Orleans, LA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,490 (2026 est.). At $64,024, the local median is 2.12% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in New Orleans: You'd be above the median
How New Orleans Plumber Pay Compares
New Orleans median: $64,024/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | New Orleans Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $59,835 | +7.00% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -2.12% less |
Plumbers in New Orleans, LA earn a median of $64,024 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.12% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.00% above the Louisiana state average of $59,835.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
New Orleans has a cost of living 7.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
New Orleans, LA has a cost-of-living index of 92.597 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $64,024 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,143 in an average-cost city — an effective 8% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,910
2025 BLS Actual
$62,450
2026 Current Est.
$64,024
2019–2027 Growth
+24.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in New Orleans (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,910 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,380 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,380 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,030 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,340 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,450 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,024 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,637 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the New Orleans metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 18.0% from $52,910 (2019) to $62,450 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,637 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,727 (24.05%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the New Orleans 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) | $40,208 – $52,101 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,101 – $64,024 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,024 – $77,679 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,679 – $81,698 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in New Orleans
The local plumbing job market employs approximately 1,510 plumbers, which indicates a stable demand for services. With a cost-of-living index at 92.597, living expenses in New Orleans are below the national average, allowing for greater purchasing power among plumbers than one might find in higher cost cities. Employers such as union plumbing contractors typically offer higher pay compared to their non-union counterparts, highlighting the income disparity driven by factors such as specialty skills, licensing, and the division between residential and industrial work. For those looking to maximize plumber pay in New Orleans, pursuing union membership, obtaining specialized certifications, and focusing on high-demand areas such as medical gas installation can lead to increased earnings potential in a city where factors like aging infrastructure are fueling ongoing demand for skilled plumbing professionals.
More salary data for New Orleans, LA:
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 $62,450 for plumbersin the New Orleans 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