Plumber Salary in Grand Rapids, MI: $82,467 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Grand Rapids, MI earns a median $82,467/year (≈ $39.64/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Grand Rapids's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 95.5), that paycheck buys what $86,311 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.9% above the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Plumber salaries in Grand Rapids, Michigan, are quite competitive, reflecting a robust local market that includes a significant gap between unionized pipefitters and non-union service plumbers. With a median annual salary projected at $82,467 in 2026, plumbers here earn significantly more than the national median of $65,408, highlighting a local premium of approximately 26.08%. Salary ranges in the area are also noteworthy, with entry-level positions starting around $47,805 and highly experienced professionals capable of earning up to $100,685. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS surveys, illustrates the favorable compensation landscape for those entering the plumbing trade in Grand Rapids, MI, amidst a market dynamic that sees union wages commanding higher rates.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,805 | $22.98 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,000 | $28.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,467 | $39.64 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,611 | $45.01 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,685 | $48.41 |
Median Salary Position
26.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Grand Rapids
In Grand Rapids, MI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $52,880 (2026 est.). At $82,467, the local median is 26.08% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Grand Rapids: You'd be above the median
How Grand Rapids Plumber Pay Compares
Grand Rapids median: $82,467/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Grand Rapids Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $80,143 | +2.90% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +26.08% more |
Plumbers in Grand Rapids, MI earn a median of $82,467 per year (2026 est.), which is 26.08% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 2.90% above the Michigan state average of $80,143.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Grand Rapids has a cost of living 4.45% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Grand Rapids, MI has a cost-of-living index of 95.546 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $82,467 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,311 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,410
2025 BLS Actual
$80,440
2026 Current Est.
$82,467
2019–2027 Growth
+74.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Grand Rapids (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,560 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,430 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,370 | Actual |
| 2023 | $65,790 | Actual |
| 2024 | $72,120 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,467 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,545 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Grand Rapids metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 66.2% from $48,410 (2019) to $80,440 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,545 by 2027 — a total increase of $36,135 (74.64%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Grand Rapids 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) | $47,805 – $59,000 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,000 – $82,467 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,467 – $93,611 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,611 – $100,685 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Grand Rapids
With about 2,270 plumbers employed in Grand Rapids, the local job market remains inviting, particularly for those with specialization in high-demand areas such as medical gas or backflow prevention. The cost of living index sits below the national average at 95.546, which positively influences the take-home purchasing power for plumbers in the area. Employers that typically offer the most lucrative pay include union plumbing contractors associated with the United Association, as well as industrial maintenance teams in manufacturing settings. The disparity in wages often stems from the influence of union contracts, specialty certifications, and the nature of the work. To maximize earnings, aspiring plumbers in Grand Rapids should focus on obtaining advanced licensing, diversifying skills across service, new construction, and industrial sectors, and considering the commission structures of larger service companies that can offer high variability in income potential.
More salary data for Grand Rapids, MI:
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 $80,440 for plumbersin the Grand Rapids 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