Plumber Salary in Wilmington, NC: $57,811 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Wilmington, NC earns a median $57,811/year (≈ $27.79/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Wilmington's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.4), that paycheck buys what $59,956 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Wilmington, North Carolina, the projected plumber salary in 2026 is $57,811, indicating a strong local market, although it's approximately 11.61% lower than the national median of $65,408. The salary range for plumbers in this region varies significantly, with the bottom 10% earning around $40,075 and the top 10% making as much as $78,530. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the competitive dynamics between union and non-union plumbers, where union pipefitters typically command a premium due to the higher skill level associated with their work. The distinction in pay is crucial for job seekers to understand as they assess opportunities in Wilmington's plumbing sector.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,075 | $19.26 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,539 | $22.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,811 | $27.79 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $64,188 | $30.86 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,530 | $37.76 |
Median Salary Position
11.61% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wilmington
In Wilmington, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $38,455 (2026 est.). At $57,811, the local median is 11.61% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Wilmington: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Wilmington Plumber Pay Compares
Wilmington median: $57,811/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Wilmington Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,408 | -11.61% less |
Plumbers in Wilmington, NC earn a median of $57,811 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.61% lower than the national median of $65,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Wilmington has a cost of living 3.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Wilmington, NC has a cost-of-living index of 96.422 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $57,811 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $59,956 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.71% 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
$46,500
2025 BLS Actual
$56,390
2026 Current Est.
$57,811
2019–2027 Growth
+27.5%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Wilmington (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,500 | Actual |
| 2020 | $48,170 | Actual |
| 2021 | $46,570 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,470 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,770 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,811 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $59,268 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Wilmington metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 21.3% from $46,500 (2019) to $56,390 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $59,268 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,768 (27.46%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wilmington 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) | $40,075 – $47,539 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,539 – $57,811 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,811 – $64,188 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $64,188 – $78,530 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Wilmington
A steady demand for qualified plumbers is evident in Wilmington, where there are about 690 active workers in the field. The cost-of-living index stands at 96.422, allowing for a relatively favorable economic environment for those earning in the plumbing trade. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors affiliated with the UA generally provide the highest compensation, while non-union contractors and service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS/Rescue Rooter offer competitive pay but may introduce variable income through commission structures. Factors influencing salary potential include specialty skills in areas like medical gas installation, which are in demand yet require additional certification. Plumbers looking to maximize their earnings should consider pursuing additional licenses, specializing in high-demand areas, or exploring union membership, all of which can significantly influence their bottom line in Wilmington, NC.
More salary data for Wilmington, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Wilmington, NC in 2026?
Is Wilmington, NC a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Wilmington?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Wilmington?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Wilmington?
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 $56,390 for plumbersin the Wilmington 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