Plumber Salary in Cranston, RI: $64,300 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Cranston, RI earns a median $64,300/year (≈ $30.91/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Cranston's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $63,980 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Cranston, Rhode Island, are projected to earn a median annual salary of $64,300, reflecting the typical earnings for this skilled trade in the area while slightly trailing the national median of $65,408. Local compensation ranges from $46,071 at the lower end to $99,664 for top earners, showcasing a diverse landscape of opportunities for both self-employed contractors and those employed in service settings. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price differences, indicating that Cranston’s plumbing market can offer competitive salaries. The interplay between self-employment and employment within service entities could shape these earnings; contractors often have overhead costs but greater profit margins, while employed plumbers enjoy more stability and benefits.
About the Cranston Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,071 | $22.15 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,284 | $24.66 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,300 | $30.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,303 | $39.57 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,664 | $47.92 |
Median Salary Position
1.69% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cranston
In Cranston, RI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,593 (2026 est.). At $64,300, the local median is 1.69% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cranston: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cranston Plumber Pay Compares
Cranston median: $64,300/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cranston Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $65,746 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -1.69% less |
Plumbers in Cranston, RI earn a median of $64,300 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.69% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 2.20% below the Rhode Island state average of $65,746.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cranston has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cranston, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,300 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $63,980 — a 0.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,225
2025 BLS Actual
$62,719
2026 Current Est.
$64,300
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Cranston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,225 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,376 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,865 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,072 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,507 | Actual |
| 2024 | $64,881 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,719 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,300 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,920 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cranston metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $54,225 (2019) to $62,719 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,920 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,695 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cranston 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) | $46,071 – $51,284 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,284 – $64,300 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,300 – $82,303 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,303 – $99,664 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Cranston
The job market for plumbers in Cranston is relatively focused, with only 12 professionals currently reported in the area which can influence salary dynamics. The cost of living index stands at 100.5, slightly above the national average, emphasizing the importance of evaluating take-home pay against local expenses. Employers pursuing candidates range from union plumbing contractors, who typically offer higher wages due to the UA affiliation, to non-union service companies like Roto-Rooter that may provide commission-based incentives. Differences in salary can arise from the specialization, such as those certified in medical gas or industrial piping, which command higher rates. To maximize pay in Cranston, plumbers should consider seeking union positions, acquiring additional certifications, and understanding the nuances of commission structures within larger service firms.
More salary data for Cranston, RI:
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 $62,719 for plumbersin the Cranston 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 Cranston 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