Plumber Salary in Niles, MI: $61,317 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Niles, MI earns a median $61,317/year (≈ $29.48/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Niles's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $66,382 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 23.5% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Niles, Michigan, the plumber salary landscape reflects the significant divide between union and non-union pay structures, shaped largely by the local demand for plumbing services. For 2026, the median annual salary for plumbers is projected at $61,317, slightly below the national median of $65,408, indicating a regional disparity. The salary ranges from $40,588 at the lower end to $95,221 at the top, revealing potential for substantial income based on skill level and job type. Official estimates based on 2025 BLS OEWS data suggest that while union pipefitters generally command 30-50% higher wages, non-union plumbers face competitive pressures that influence their earnings. Overall, the local job market remains robust, with approximately 90 plumbers employed in the area, highlighting the ongoing demand for skilled plumbing professionals in Niles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,588 | $19.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,661 | $23.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,317 | $29.48 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,448 | $32.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,221 | $45.78 |
Median Salary Position
6.25% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Niles
In Niles, MI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,633 (2026 est.). At $61,317, the local median is 6.25% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Niles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Niles Plumber Pay Compares
Niles median: $61,317/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Niles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $80,153 | -23.50% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -6.25% less |
Plumbers in Niles, MI earn a median of $61,317 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.25% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 23.50% below the Michigan state average of $80,153.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Niles has a cost of living 7.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Niles, MI has a cost-of-living index of 92.37 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $61,317 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,382 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.26% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,680
2025 BLS Actual
$59,810
2026 Current Est.
$61,317
2019–2027 Growth
+29.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Niles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,680 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,020 | Actual |
| 2022 | $53,080 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,320 | Actual |
| 2024 | $59,730 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,317 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,862 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Niles metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 22.9% from $48,680 (2019) to $59,810 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,862 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,182 (29.13%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Niles 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) | $40,588 – $49,661 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,661 – $61,317 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,317 – $67,448 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,448 – $95,221 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Niles
The local employment landscape shows that while the population of plumbers is modest, the cost of living index in Niles, currently at 92.37, plays a vital role in determining take-home pay and purchasing power for these workers. Union jobs typically offer higher pay scales, particularly in specialties like medical gas and backflow prevention, which command premium wages. Non-union service companies, such as Roto-Rooter and ARS Rescue Rooter, employ plumbers on commission, offering higher earning potential but also contributing to income variability. The pay gap in Niles is largely driven by the different levels of specialization, licensing (including the importance of having a master or contractor license), and the commission structure at larger service companies. To maximize earnings in this market, plumbers should consider obtaining specialized credentials and exploring opportunities within union contracts, which provide access to a broader range of services and ultimately, higher wages.
More salary data for Niles, 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 $59,810 for plumbersin the Niles 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