Plumber Salary in Traverse City, MI: $64,690 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Traverse City, MI earns a median $64,690/year (≈ $31.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Traverse City's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $69,282 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 19.3% below the Michigan state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Traverse City, Michigan, can expect a median annual salary of $64,690, closely aligned with the national median of $65,408. The salary spectrum in Traverse City ranges significantly, from $42,997 at the 10th percentile to as high as $97,804 at the 90th percentile. This data is based on 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, and highlights the trade-offs faced by local plumbers, particularly between employed positions and self-employment opportunities. Traverse City’s job market remains robust for plumbing professionals, offering diverse earning possibilities that depend largely on labor dynamics and contracting preferences in the area.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $42,997 | $20.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,818 | $25.39 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,690 | $31.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $92,309 | $44.38 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,804 | $47.02 |
Median Salary Position
1.1% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Traverse City
In Traverse City, MI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,807 (2026 est.). At $64,690, the local median is 1.1% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Traverse City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Traverse City Plumber Pay Compares
Traverse City median: $64,690/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Traverse City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Michigan Average | $80,161 | -19.30% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -1.10% less |
Plumbers in Traverse City, MI earn a median of $64,690 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.10% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 19.30% below the Michigan state average of $80,161.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Traverse City has a cost of living 6.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Traverse City, MI has a cost-of-living index of 93.372 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $64,690 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $69,282 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.1% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,555
2025 BLS Actual
$63,100
2026 Current Est.
$64,690
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Traverse City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,555 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,712 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,223 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,431 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,875 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,000 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,100 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,690 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,320 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Traverse City metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $54,555 (2019) to $63,100 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,320 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,765 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Traverse City 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) | $42,997 – $52,818 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,818 – $64,690 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,690 – $92,309 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $92,309 – $97,804 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Traverse City
With approximately 190 plumbers currently employed in the region, Traverse City showcases a competitive labor market despite a cost of living index at 93.372, indicating affordability for residents. Notably, plumbers employed by union contractors generally earn more than their non-union counterparts, with significant wage differences driven by specialty credentials in medical gas or backflow prevention. Self-employed contractors often face variable income but can manage better margins depending on their workload. Employers such as residential service companies like Roto-Rooter or ARS/Rescue Rooter, as well as municipal water utilities, also provide competitive compensation. Plumbers aiming to maximize their earnings in Traverse City should consider securing a master license, specializing in high-demand areas, and pursuing additional credentials, which can greatly enhance their marketability and income potential in this vibrant community.
More salary data for Traverse City, 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 $63,100 for plumbersin the Traverse City 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, 2-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