Plumber Salary in Charlotte, NC: $60,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Charlotte, NC earns a median $60,169/year (≈ $28.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Charlotte's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 97.3), that paycheck buys what $61,808 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Charlotte, North Carolina, the projected salary for plumbers in 2026 stands at $60,169, placing it below the national median of $65,408. This projected salary falls within a range that spans from $43,386 at the lower percentile to $77,925 at the upper end. Such figures are derived from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS data. The city's plumber job market reflects a balance between employed positions and self-employed contractors. While employed plumbers can expect steady incomes, self-employed contractors may experience greater income variability depending on their client base and the projects they undertake. This dynamic employment landscape indicates ongoing opportunities for skilled plumbers in Charlotte, where demand continues to hold steady.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,386 | $20.86 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,625 | $23.37 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,169 | $28.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,849 | $31.66 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $77,925 | $37.46 |
Median Salary Position
8.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Charlotte
In Charlotte, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $34,539 (2026 est.). At $60,169, the local median is 8.01% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Charlotte: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Charlotte Plumber Pay Compares
Charlotte median: $60,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Charlotte Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,799 | +4.10% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -8.01% less |
Plumbers in Charlotte, NC earn a median of $60,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 4.10% above the North Carolina state average of $57,799.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Charlotte has a cost of living 2.65% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Charlotte, NC has a cost-of-living index of 97.348 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $60,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $61,808 in an average-cost city — an effective 2.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,990
2025 BLS Actual
$58,690
2026 Current Est.
$60,169
2019–2027 Growth
+37.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Charlotte (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,990 | Actual |
| 2020 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,390 | Actual |
| 2022 | $49,750 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,560 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,550 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Charlotte metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 30.5% from $44,990 (2019) to $58,690 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,695 (37.11%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Charlotte 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) | $43,386 – $48,625 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,625 – $60,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,169 – $65,849 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,849 – $77,925 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Charlotte
The local job market for plumbers is robust, with approximately 3,840 plumbers currently employed in the Charlotte area. Even with a cost-of-living index at 97.348, suggesting a more affordable lifestyle compared to the national average, real take-home pay is influenced by various factors. Employers who generally pay high wages include union plumbing contractors, who leverage the United Association standards, as well as industrial maintenance teams within manufacturing settings. The gap between low and high salaries is driven primarily by the nature of the work, where union pipefitter or steamfitter wages often exceed non-union compensation significantly. Specialty roles, such as those handling medical gas systems, command higher rates due to their limited availability and the skill level required. To maximize earnings in Charlotte, plumbers can pursue additional certifications, engage in specialized work, and align with contractor licensing to enhance their service offerings.
More salary data for Charlotte, NC:
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 $58,690 for plumbersin the Charlotte 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