Plumber Salary in Kettering, OH: $63,657 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Kettering, OH earns a median $63,657/year (≈ $30.60/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Kettering's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.7), that paycheck buys what $70,184 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% below the Ohio state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a median annual salary of $63,657 for plumbers in Kettering, OH, the local plumbing market reflects both competitive pay and regional conditions. The salary range spans from $45,196 at the 10th percentile to $98,668 at the 90th percentile, indicating a significant disparity between entry-level and highly experienced professionals. It's noteworthy that the compensation figures stem from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, which are subsequently projected forward to 2026, along with consideration for regional price adjustments. Kettering's job market is shaped by this salary structure, where unionized pipefitters often receive a premium over non-union service plumbers—a trend that significantly influences plumbing pay in this area.
About the Kettering Market
Salary estimated from Ohio average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,196 | $21.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,655 | $24.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,657 | $30.60 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,481 | $39.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,668 | $47.44 |
Median Salary Position
2.68% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kettering
In Kettering, OH, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,472 (2026 est.). At $63,657, the local median is 2.68% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kettering: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kettering Plumber Pay Compares
Kettering median: $63,657/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kettering Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,561 | -1.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -2.68% less |
Plumbers in Kettering, OH earn a median of $63,657 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.68% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.40% below the Ohio state average of $64,561.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kettering has a cost of living 9.30% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kettering, OH has a cost-of-living index of 90.7 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $63,657 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,184 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.25% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,683
2025 BLS Actual
$62,092
2026 Current Est.
$63,657
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Kettering (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,683 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,822 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,277 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,481 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,902 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,465 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,092 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,657 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,261 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kettering metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $53,683 (2019) to $62,092 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,261 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,578 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kettering 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) | $45,196 – $50,655 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,655 – $63,657 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,657 – $81,481 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,481 – $98,668 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Kettering
Examining the local job market, Kettering employs just 10 plumbers, which hints at a niche yet stable professional environment. The cost of living index stands at 90.7, suggesting that while salaries may be slightly lower compared to national averages, the purchasing power can stretch further here. Union plumbing contractors generally offer the highest pay, benefiting from well-established wage agreements with the UA. Employers in the non-union sector, ranging from lighter residential services to larger companies like Roto-Rooter, may present variable income depending on commission structures. Factors influencing the income gap include the type of plumbing work performed—specialty skills like medical gas installation could yield higher earnings—and the credentials held by the plumber. Thus, for those looking to maximize their pay in Kettering, pursuing a master license, specializing in high-demand areas, or seeking out union positions could provide advantageous pathways.
More salary data for Kettering, 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 $62,092 for plumbersin the Kettering 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
Salary data for Kettering is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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