Plumber Salary in Goldsboro, NC: $52,552 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Goldsboro, NC earns a median $52,552/year (≈ $25.26/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Goldsboro's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.5), that paycheck buys what $59,406 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 9.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Goldsboro, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 stands at $52,552, reflecting a significant regional disparity compared to the national median of $65,408. The salary range varies widely, with the lower end at $37,379 and the upper end reaching $70,093. This data, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, illustrates the economic realities plumbers face in this area. For those considering a career in plumbing or evaluating employment options within Goldsboro, it is crucial to weigh the benefits of self-employment against traditional employed positions, as market demand and contractor licensing can significantly influence earnings and job security.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $37,379 | $17.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,699 | $21.49 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $52,552 | $25.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $62,117 | $29.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $70,093 | $33.70 |
Median Salary Position
19.66% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Goldsboro
In Goldsboro, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,714 (2026 est.). At $52,552, the local median is 19.66% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Goldsboro: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Goldsboro Plumber Pay Compares
Goldsboro median: $52,552/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Goldsboro Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,813 | -9.10% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -19.66% less |
Plumbers in Goldsboro, NC earn a median of $52,552 per year (2026 est.), which is 19.66% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 9.10% below the North Carolina state average of $57,813.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Goldsboro has a cost of living 11.54% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Goldsboro, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.462 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $52,552 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,406 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.04% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$37,570
2025 BLS Actual
$51,260
2026 Current Est.
$52,552
2019–2027 Growth
+43.4%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Goldsboro (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37,570 | Actual |
| 2020 | $36,790 | Actual |
| 2021 | $43,660 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,170 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,350 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,620 | Actual |
| 2025 | $51,260 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $52,552 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $53,876 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Goldsboro metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 36.4% from $37,570 (2019) to $51,260 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $53,876 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,306 (43.40%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Goldsboro 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) | $37,379 – $44,699 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,699 – $52,552 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $52,552 – $62,117 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $62,117 – $70,093 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Goldsboro
Currently, Goldsboro employs around 160 plumbers, highlighting a modest job market in the region. The local cost of living, indexed at 88.462, allows for a relatively favorable purchasing power compared to the national average, which can be advantageous for local plumbers. Among employers, union plumbing contractors typically offer the most competitive wages, while self-employed plumbers may have the potential for higher earnings, albeit at a less predictable margin due to client contracts and market conditions. The wage spread in Goldsboro is often driven by the differences in specialty skills, such as medical gas and backflow prevention, as well as union versus non-union positions, which can influence pay by up to 50%. To maximize earnings in this market, plumbers should focus on obtaining specialized certifications and consider joining union jobs for greater stability and higher wages.
More salary data for Goldsboro, 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 $51,260 for plumbersin the Goldsboro 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