Plumber Salary in Fayetteville, NC: $53,044 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Fayetteville, NC earns a median $53,044/year (≈ $25.50/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Fayetteville's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $57,670 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.2% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
The projected plumber salary in Fayetteville is estimated at $53,044 for 2026, reflecting a notable difference compared to the national median of $65,408. The salary range here varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $38,383 and top earners reaching up to $76,418. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS data, highlight the distinct employer landscape in Fayetteville, where plumbers can choose between self-employment and traditional employment avenues. The trade-off between the independence of a self-employed contractor and the stability of working with established companies can profoundly impact average earnings in this region.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,383 | $18.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,226 | $22.23 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $53,044 | $25.50 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $63,788 | $30.67 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,418 | $36.74 |
Median Salary Position
18.9% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fayetteville
In Fayetteville, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,035 (2026 est.). At $53,044, the local median is 18.9% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fayetteville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Fayetteville Plumber Pay Compares
Fayetteville median: $53,044/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fayetteville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,782 | -8.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -18.90% less |
Plumbers in Fayetteville, NC earn a median of $53,044 per year (2026 est.), which is 18.90% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 8.20% below the North Carolina state average of $57,782.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fayetteville has a cost of living 8.02% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fayetteville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 91.978 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $53,044 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,670 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.72% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$38,380
2025 BLS Actual
$51,740
2026 Current Est.
$53,044
2019–2027 Growth
+41.7%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Fayetteville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $38,380 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $46,240 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,880 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,440 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,740 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $53,044 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $54,381 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fayetteville metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 34.8% from $38,380 (2019) to $51,740 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $54,381 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,001 (41.69%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fayetteville 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) | $38,383 – $46,226 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,226 – $53,044 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $53,044 – $63,788 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $63,788 – $76,418 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Fayetteville
With 390 plumbers currently employed in Fayetteville, local market dynamics play a key role in shaping compensation. The relatively low cost-of-living index of 91.978 enhances job attractiveness, increasing take-home purchasing power despite lower salary averages compared to national figures. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors typically offer higher pay rates, often outpacing non-union and self-employed counterparts. Variability in plumber pay in Fayetteville is further influenced by the type of work undertaken; specialty fields like medical gas or industrial maintenance command premium rates due to the higher skill set required. As those in the trade aim to elevate their earnings, acquiring additional certifications, particularly in specialties or obtaining a master plumbing license, could provide a valuable edge and bolster long-term career progression.
More salary data for Fayetteville, 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 $51,740 for plumbersin the Fayetteville 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