Plumber Salary in Raleigh, NC: $62,066 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Raleigh, NC earns a median $62,066/year (≈ $29.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Raleigh's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.2), that paycheck buys what $63,231 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.4% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, a plumber salary in Raleigh is projected to reach a median of $62,066, reflecting a competitive pay structure that is somewhat lower than the national average of $65,408. Within the local market, salaries range from $44,022 at the lower tenth percentile to $79,566 at the 90th percentile. This data, sourced from the Bureau of Labor Statistics' OEWS surveys, illustrates a diverse economic environment for plumbing professionals in Raleigh. Factors such as self-employment versus traditional employment in service companies can heavily influence earnings, with self-employed plumbers often enjoying greater margins but facing unpredictable income. With a workforce of approximately 2,810 plumbers, Raleigh shows a steady demand for plumbing services, making it an attractive place for both experienced tradespeople and newcomers to the industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,022 | $21.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,589 | $23.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,066 | $29.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,774 | $34.51 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $79,566 | $38.25 |
Median Salary Position
5.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Raleigh
In Raleigh, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,544 (2026 est.). At $62,066, the local median is 5.11% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Raleigh: You'd be above the median
How Raleigh Plumber Pay Compares
Raleigh median: $62,066/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Raleigh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,789 | +7.40% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -5.11% less |
Plumbers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $62,066 per year (2026 est.), which is 5.11% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.40% above the North Carolina state average of $57,789.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Raleigh has a cost of living 1.84% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Raleigh, NC has a cost-of-living index of 98.157 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $62,066 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $63,231 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.88% 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
$44,130
2025 BLS Actual
$60,540
2026 Current Est.
$62,066
2019–2027 Growth
+44.2%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Raleigh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $43,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,810 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,170 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,560 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,540 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,066 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,630 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Raleigh metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 37.2% from $44,130 (2019) to $60,540 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,630 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,500 (44.19%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Raleigh 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) | $44,022 – $49,589 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,589 – $62,066 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,066 – $71,774 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,774 – $79,566 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Raleigh
Raleigh's cost of living index stands at 98.157, indicating that living expenses are relatively affordable compared to the national average. This economic backdrop allows plumbers to stretch their earnings further; however, the actual take-home pay can vary significantly based on employment type. Union plumbing contractors typically command higher wages, benefiting from elevated pay standards set by the UA (United Association). Conversely, non-union contractors generally offer lower compensation. Specialty certifications, such as those for medical gas or backflow prevention, can also yield higher returns, particularly in the hospital and industrial sectors. As aging infrastructure and a median plumber age exceeding 50 create ongoing demand, those looking to maximize their pay in Raleigh should consider obtaining additional credentials, staying updated on market trends, and exploring opportunities with larger service companies, which may provide commission-based pay structures that offer significant earning potential.
More salary data for Raleigh, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Raleigh, NC in 2026?
Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Raleigh?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Raleigh?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Raleigh?
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 $60,540 for plumbersin the Raleigh 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