Plumber Salary in Garner, NC: $55,460 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Garner, NC earns a median $55,460/year (≈ $26.67/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Garner's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.6), that paycheck buys what $59,252 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Garner, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is estimated at $55,460, which is approximately 15.21% lower than the national median of $65,408. The salary range for this occupation varies significantly, from $40,821 at the P10 level to $85,963 at the P90 level. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, adjusted for local cost-of-living considerations. Understanding the dynamics of plumber pay in Garner NC is essential, especially as those who specialize in areas like medical gas installation or industrial plumbing can command higher wages due to limited workforce availability.
About the Garner Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,821 | $19.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,978 | $21.62 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,460 | $26.67 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,989 | $34.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,963 | $41.33 |
Median Salary Position
15.21% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Garner
In Garner, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,142 (2026 est.). At $55,460, the local median is 15.21% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Garner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Garner Plumber Pay Compares
Garner median: $55,460/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Garner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,831 | -4.10% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -15.21% less |
Plumbers in Garner, NC earn a median of $55,460 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.21% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 4.10% below the North Carolina state average of $57,831.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Garner has a cost of living 6.40% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Garner, NC has a cost-of-living index of 93.6 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $55,460 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,252 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.84% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,771
2025 BLS Actual
$54,097
2026 Current Est.
$55,460
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Garner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,771 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,763 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,773 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,951 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,189 | Actual |
| 2024 | $49,386 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,097 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,460 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,858 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Garner metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $46,771 (2019) to $54,097 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,858 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,087 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Garner 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) | $40,821 – $44,978 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,978 – $55,460 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,460 – $70,989 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,989 – $85,963 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Garner
Currently, there are four plumbers employed in Garner, reflecting a tight job market. With a cost-of-living index of 93.6, workers may find their purchasing power more favorable than in many urban settings. Typically, plumbers aligned with union contractors, such as the United Association, tend to receive higher wages compared to their non-union counterparts. In particular, specialty plumbers handling medical gas or industrial systems can see significantly better pay than those focused on residential services. Factors influencing salary distribution include levels of experience, specialized licenses, and the nature of the employer—whether a unionized firm or a large service company like Roto-Rooter. To maximize earnings, plumbers in this market may benefit from obtaining additional certifications and exploring opportunities in high-demand areas like industrial maintenance and emergency services where overtime can also enhance their income potential.
More salary data for Garner, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can plumbers make $100K in Garner?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 $54,097 for plumbersin the Garner 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
Salary data for Garner is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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