Plumber Salary in Las Cruces, NM: $55,935 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Las Cruces, NM earns a median $55,935/year (≈ $26.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Las Cruces's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.2), that paycheck buys what $62,004 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.4% below the New Mexico state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual plumber salary in Las Cruces, New Mexico, is estimated to be $55,935, which is notably lower than the national median of $65,408 for the same year. The salary range for plumbers in this area spans from $37,051 at the 10th percentile to $80,273 at the 90th percentile, reflecting both the diversity in the types of plumbing work available and the qualifications of the plumbers. This data, derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) 2025 OEWS surveys, illustrates that the local market is influenced significantly by the presence of union pipefitters and non-union plumbing roles. UA unionized positions tend to offer higher pay, aligning with the broader trend of union wages commanding a premium in various industries.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,051 | $17.82 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,832 | $21.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,935 | $26.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $72,635 | $34.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $80,273 | $38.59 |
Median Salary Position
14.48% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Las Cruces
In Las Cruces, NM, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,222 (2026 est.). At $55,935, the local median is 14.48% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Las Cruces: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Las Cruces Plumber Pay Compares
Las Cruces median: $55,935/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Las Cruces Pays |
|---|---|---|
| New Mexico Average | $61,738 | -9.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -14.48% less |
Plumbers in Las Cruces, NM earn a median of $55,935 per year (2026 est.), which is 14.48% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 9.40% below the New Mexico state average of $61,738.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Las Cruces has a cost of living 9.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Las Cruces, NM has a cost-of-living index of 90.212 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $55,935 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,004 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,050
2025 BLS Actual
$54,560
2026 Current Est.
$55,935
2019–2027 Growth
+24.5%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Las Cruces (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,050 | Actual |
| 2020 | $41,370 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,330 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,910 | Actual |
| 2023 | $47,330 | Actual |
| 2024 | $53,420 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,560 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,935 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $57,344 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Las Cruces metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 18.5% from $46,050 (2019) to $54,560 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $57,344 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,294 (24.53%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Las Cruces 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) | $37,051 – $44,832 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,832 – $55,935 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,935 – $72,635 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $72,635 – $80,273 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Las Cruces
With 180 plumbers employed in Las Cruces, the area presents a relatively stable job market for this trade. A cost-of-living index at 90.212 suggests that while local salaries may be lower than national averages, the affordability of living in Las Cruces can help mitigate some financial pressures. Among the various employers, union plumbing contractors typically offer the most competitive pay, followed closely by industrial maintenance teams. The disparity in income across the plumbing sector can largely be attributed to specialization and the type of employment. Master licenses and contractor licenses can lead to better earnings, especially for self-employed plumbers, while commission structures at service-oriented companies like Roto-Rooter can offer high earning potential, albeit with variability. Plumbers looking to maximize their income in Las Cruces should seek additional certifications and consider diversifying their skill sets to include specialties like medical gas or backflow prevention, which are in demand but have a limited workforce.
More salary data for Las Cruces, NM:
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 $54,560 for plumbersin the Las Cruces 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