Plumber Salary in Greenville, NC: $58,518 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Greenville, NC earns a median $58,518/year (≈ $28.13/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Greenville's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.4), that paycheck buys what $66,195 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, plumber salaries in Greenville, NC, are projected to reach a median annual income of $58,518. This figure provides a notable comparison to the national average of $65,408, highlighting a 10.53% pay gap that reflects the dynamics of the local job market. Within this market, the salary range for plumbers spans from $41,203 at the lower end (P10) to $76,408 at the top (P90), indicating that the earnings can significantly vary based on experience, specialization, and employment type. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reveals how factors such as union membership and specialization in the plumbing field can dominate earners' profiles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,203 | $19.81 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,508 | $22.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $58,518 | $28.13 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $65,879 | $31.68 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,408 | $36.73 |
Median Salary Position
10.53% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Greenville
In Greenville, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,205 (2026 est.). At $58,518, the local median is 10.53% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Greenville: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Greenville Plumber Pay Compares
Greenville median: $58,518/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Greenville Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,825 | +1.20% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -10.53% less |
Plumbers in Greenville, NC earn a median of $58,518 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.53% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.20% above the North Carolina state average of $57,825.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Greenville has a cost of living 11.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Greenville, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.402 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $58,518 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $66,195 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.12% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$48,160
2025 BLS Actual
$57,080
2026 Current Est.
$58,518
2019–2027 Growth
+24.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Greenville (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,160 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,480 | Actual |
| 2021 | $49,290 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,900 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,040 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,910 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,080 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $58,518 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,993 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Greenville metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 18.5% from $48,160 (2019) to $57,080 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,993 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,833 (24.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Greenville 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) | $41,203 – $47,508 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,508 – $58,518 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $58,518 – $65,879 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $65,879 – $76,408 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Greenville
The local plumber job market in Greenville consists of approximately 250 plumbers, navigating a cost-of-living index of 88.402, which is below the national average. This lower cost of living can enhance the effective purchasing power for local plumbers compared to many other areas. Among the highest-paying opportunities are those within union plumbing contracts, where UA members often receive premium wages that can be 30-50% higher than non-union service plumbing positions. Additionally, specialized roles such as medical gas fitters not only command better compensation but also have a scarcity of professionals, making them prospective paths for maximizing earnings. Factors like owning a master or contractor license, commission structures at major service companies, and overtime offerings enable skilled plumbers to expand their income potential. For those looking to thrive in Greenville's plumbing market, focusing on union affiliation and seeking specialized training can set them on a pathway for financial success.
More salary data for Greenville, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Greenville, NC in 2026?
Is Greenville, NC a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Greenville?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Greenville?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Greenville?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
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 $57,080 for plumbersin the Greenville 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