Plumber Salary in Pinehurst, NC: $49,661 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Pinehurst, NC earns a median $49,661/year (≈ $23.88/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Pinehurst's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 88.3), that paycheck buys what $56,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 14.1% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Pinehurst, North Carolina, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is estimated at $49,661, a figure significantly below the national median of $65,408. The local salary range showcases considerable variability, with entry-level plumbers earning around $39,665 and experienced professionals making as much as $63,029. This data is drawn from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicating a market where union wages, particularly those for UA pipefitters, create a competitive edge over non-union plumbing positions. In this context, it's evident that while the market has opportunities for all levels of experience, the union influence still dominates the higher salary bands, particularly in Pinehurst's plumbing sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $39,665 | $19.07 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,919 | $22.07 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,661 | $23.88 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $60,148 | $28.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,029 | $30.30 |
Median Salary Position
24.08% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Pinehurst
In Pinehurst, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $23,364 (2026 est.). At $49,661, the local median is 24.08% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Pinehurst: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Pinehurst Plumber Pay Compares
Pinehurst median: $49,661/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Pinehurst Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,812 | -14.10% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -24.08% less |
Plumbers in Pinehurst, NC earn a median of $49,661 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.08% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 14.10% below the North Carolina state average of $57,812.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Pinehurst has a cost of living 11.66% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Pinehurst, NC has a cost-of-living index of 88.336 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $49,661 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,218 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.2% 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
$41,880
2025 BLS Actual
$48,440
2026 Current Est.
$49,661
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Pinehurst (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $41,880 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,768 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,464 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,623 | Actual |
| 2023 | $46,732 | Actual |
| 2024 | $46,830 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,440 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,661 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,912 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Pinehurst metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $41,880 (2019) to $48,440 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,912 by 2027 — a total increase of $9,032 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Pinehurst 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) | $39,665 – $45,919 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,919 – $49,661 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,661 – $60,148 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $60,148 – $63,029 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Pinehurst
In evaluating the job market for plumbers in Pinehurst, it's noteworthy that there are currently 130 plumbers employed in the area. With a cost-of-living index of 88.336, residents enjoy more purchasing power compared to national averages, enabling a comfortable lifestyle. Employers in Pinehurst vary in their compensation structures; union plumbing contractors often pay higher wages due to collective agreements, while non-union and open-shop jobs may offer more flexibility, albeit at potentially lower rates. Specialty areas—such as medical gas installation—further push compensation upward, as they require additional certifications. Wage disparities stem from multiple factors, including union versus non-union status, level of experience, and the nature of the work, whether it's service plumbing or industrial maintenance. Plumbers looking to maximize their earnings in this market should consider obtaining specialized credentials, negotiating better commission structures with service companies, and exploring opportunities with union contractors to capitalize on the higher wage potential the union environment provides.
More salary data for Pinehurst, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Pinehurst, NC in 2026?
Is Pinehurst, NC a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Pinehurst?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Pinehurst?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Pinehurst?
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 $48,440 for plumbersin the Pinehurst 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, 2-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