Plumber Salary in Cleveland, OH: $64,608 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Cleveland, OH earns a median $64,608/year (≈ $31.06/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Cleveland's price level (6% below national, BEA RPP 93.9), that paycheck buys what $68,788 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected compensation for plumbers in Cleveland, Ohio, stands at a median annual salary of $64,608, slightly below the national average of $65,408. Spanning from $47,498 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $103,771 for those at the high end of the pay scale (90th percentile), these figures originate from rigorous evaluations based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected forward. This dynamic reveals a market where decision-making plays a crucial role; self-employed contractors often have different earning potentials compared to those in employed service roles. The landscape is shaped by a mixture of industry factors, including demand for specialized skills and the prevalence of union versus non-union positions.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,498 | $22.83 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,783 | $24.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,608 | $31.06 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,174 | $40.95 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,771 | $49.90 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cleveland
In Cleveland, OH, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,273 (2026 est.). At $64,608, the local median is 1.22% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cleveland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cleveland Plumber Pay Compares
Cleveland median: $64,608/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cleveland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,544 | +0.10% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -1.22% less |
Plumbers in Cleveland, OH earn a median of $64,608 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.10% above the Ohio state average of $64,544.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cleveland has a cost of living 6.08% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cleveland, OH has a cost-of-living index of 93.923 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $64,608 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,788 in an average-cost city — an effective 6.47% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,600
2025 BLS Actual
$63,020
2026 Current Est.
$64,608
2019–2027 Growth
+-0.5%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,600 | Actual |
| 2020 | $68,590 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,650 | Actual |
| 2022 | $65,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $70,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,820 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,020 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,608 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,236 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cleveland metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew -5.4% from $66,600 (2019) to $63,020 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,236 by 2027 — a total increase of $-364 (-0.55%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cleveland 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) | $47,498 – $51,783 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,783 – $64,608 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,608 – $85,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,174 – $103,771 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Cleveland
Cleveland's plumbing job market employs around 3,040 professionals, creating a competitive environment driven by a cost-of-living index of 93.923, which is notably lower than the national average. This lower cost of living enhances the purchasing power of local plumbers, making their earnings stretch further. Notably, wages vary significantly based on employment type: union plumbing contractors often provide higher compensation due to the premium associated with UA affiliations, while non-union and self-employed plumbers may experience fluctuating income based on factors such as specialization in medical gas or industrial piping. To maximize earning potential, plumbers should consider obtaining credentials in high-demand specialties, seeking opportunities in larger service companies, or exploring union membership for the benefits of higher baseline pay, job security, and access to premium overtime rates.
More salary data for Cleveland, OH:
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 $63,020 for plumbersin the Cleveland 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