Plumber Salary in Winston, NC: $50,481 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Winston, NC earns a median $50,481/year (≈ $24.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Winston's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.0), that paycheck buys what $54,845 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.7% below the North Carolina state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the average plumber salary in Winston, North Carolina, is projected to be $50,481, reflecting a substantial gap compared to the national average of $65,408. The wage range for plumbers in this area spans from $38,783 at the 10th percentile to $73,978 at the 90th percentile. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this compensation landscape highlights a competitive market largely influenced by union versus non-union distinctions. The United Association (UA) pipefitters command higher wages due to their union status, often earning a premium of 30-50% over non-union service plumbers. As Winston's plumbing workforce ages, demand for qualified professionals continues to rise, illustrating the significance of both experience and affiliation with unions in determining earning potential.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,783 | $18.65 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $47,169 | $22.68 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $50,481 | $24.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,984 | $29.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,978 | $35.56 |
Median Salary Position
22.82% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Winston
In Winston, NC, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $35,195 (2026 est.). At $50,481, the local median is 22.82% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Winston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Winston Plumber Pay Compares
Winston median: $50,481/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Winston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| North Carolina Average | $57,825 | -12.70% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -22.82% less |
Plumbers in Winston, NC earn a median of $50,481 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.82% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 12.70% below the North Carolina state average of $57,825.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Winston has a cost of living 7.96% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Winston, NC has a cost-of-living index of 92.043 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $50,481 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $54,845 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.64% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$44,850
2025 BLS Actual
$49,240
2026 Current Est.
$50,481
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Winston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $44,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $44,740 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,950 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $50,120 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,870 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,240 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $50,481 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $51,753 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Winston metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 9.8% from $44,850 (2019) to $49,240 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $51,753 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,903 (15.39%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Winston 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) | $38,783 – $47,169 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $47,169 – $50,481 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $50,481 – $61,984 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,984 – $73,978 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Winston
In Winston, approximately 860 plumbers are actively employed, creating a robust job market despite the lower salaries compared to national figures. The cost of living index in the area stands at 92.043, which suggests that while wages may be below average, purchasing power remains decent relative to living expenses. Employers like union plumbing contractors and industrial maintenance teams typically offer higher pay rates due to specialized skills required and the union's support. Factors such as certifications in medical gas or backflow prevention, along with the possession of a master or contractor license, can enhance income potential. Plumbers can improve their pay prospects by pursuing union opportunities, enhancing their credentials, and considering roles with larger service companies, which often incorporate commission structures allowing for variable but potentially higher earnings.
More salary data for Winston, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $49,240 for plumbersin the Winston 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