Plumber Salary in Kentwood, MI: $81,006 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Kentwood, MI earns a median $81,006/year (≈ $38.95/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Kentwood's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.2), that paycheck buys what $86,916 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the Michigan state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual pay for plumbers in Kentwood, Michigan, is $81,006, notably higher than the national median of $65,408. This market reflects a comprehensive salary range, with earnings spanning from $57,295 at the 10th percentile to $125,559 at the 90th percentile. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS state-level data and regional price parities indicate significant compensation potential, especially for those engaged in union jobs. Union pipefitters, associated with the UA, typically receive a premium that can be 30-50% above what non-union service plumbers earn, creating a marked disparity in pay within the Kentwood plumbing job market.
About the Kentwood Market
Salary estimated from Michigan average ($70,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,295 | $27.55 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,048 | $30.80 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,006 | $38.95 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,688 | $49.85 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,559 | $60.36 |
Median Salary Position
23.85% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kentwood
In Kentwood, MI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,264 (2026 est.). At $81,006, the local median is 23.85% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kentwood: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kentwood Plumber Pay Compares
Kentwood median: $81,006/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kentwood Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $80,204 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +23.85% more |
Plumbers in Kentwood, MI earn a median of $81,006 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.85% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.00% above the Michigan state average of $80,204.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kentwood has a cost of living 6.80% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kentwood, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.2 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $81,006 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $86,916 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.3% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,315
2025 BLS Actual
$79,015
2026 Current Est.
$81,006
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Kentwood (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,315 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,764 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,160 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,420 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,228 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,443 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,015 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,006 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,048 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kentwood metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $68,315 (2019) to $79,015 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,048 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,733 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kentwood 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) | $57,295 – $64,048 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,048 – $81,006 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,006 – $103,688 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,688 – $125,559 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Kentwood
Only seven plumbers are currently employed in Kentwood, highlighting a niche local labor force. This small workforce is contrasted by a cost-of-living index of 93.2, which is below the national average, meaning that local plumbers may experience a greater purchasing power with their salaries compared to higher-cost areas. Among the various employers, union plumbing contractors pay the most, often followed by industrial maintenance teams in manufacturing environments. Pay difference stems from various factors including specialization in medical gas or backflow prevention, which demand additional certifications and licensing. Strategies for maximizing pay include seeking UA membership, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and considering opportunities in both residential and industrial sectors for broader earning potential. The engagement in service plumbing with commission structures can also yield higher income, albeit with some variability, informed by the market dynamics and the ongoing infrastructure demands in Kentwood, MI.
More salary data for Kentwood, MI:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $79,015 for plumbersin the Kentwood 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 Kentwood 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