Plumber Salary in Providence, RI: $81,831 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Providence, RI earns a median $81,831/year (≈ $39.34/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Providence's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 101.8), that paycheck buys what $80,405 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 24.5% above the Rhode Island state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Providence, Rhode Island, reaching the specialty premium can significantly elevate a plumber's earnings potential. The projected median salary for plumbers in the area is $81,831, which exceeds the national median of $65,408 by over 25%. With a salary range extending from $50,840 at the lower end (P10) to a high of $113,561 (P90), the compensation reflects the demand across various sectors, including residential, commercial, and industrial services. These figures derive from official BLS OEWS surveys and highlight a robust job market in Providence, especially for those with specialized credentials such as medical gas and backflow prevention. Given that union pipefitters and service plumbers alike are essential to maintaining and upgrading the region's aging infrastructure, opportunities for skilled workers in this field remain abundant.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $50,840 | $24.44 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $59,185 | $28.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,831 | $39.34 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $109,399 | $52.59 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,561 | $54.60 |
Median Salary Position
25.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Providence
In Providence, RI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $62,721 (2026 est.). At $81,831, the local median is 25.11% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Providence: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Providence Plumber Pay Compares
Providence median: $81,831/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Providence Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $65,728 | +24.50% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +25.11% more |
Plumbers in Providence, RI earn a median of $81,831 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.11% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 24.50% above the Rhode Island state average of $65,728.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Providence has a cost of living 1.77% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Providence, RI has a cost-of-living index of 101.773 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,831 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $80,405 — a 1.74% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,410
2025 BLS Actual
$79,820
2026 Current Est.
$81,831
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Providence (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,410 | Actual |
| 2020 | $59,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,210 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,070 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2024 | $75,260 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,820 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,831 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,894 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Providence metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 52.3% from $52,410 (2019) to $79,820 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,894 by 2027 — a total increase of $31,484 (60.07%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Providence 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) | $50,840 – $59,185 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $59,185 – $81,831 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,831 – $109,399 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $109,399 – $113,561 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Providence
As of the 2026 estimates, approximately 3,000 plumbers work in Providence, contributing to a competitive job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 101.773, which slightly affects the purchasing power of plumbing salaries. Employers in Providence vary widely in pay, with union plumbing contractors generally offering higher wages compared to their non-union counterparts. Those working in industrial maintenance or under large service companies can also command substantial compensation, particularly if they possess master or contractor licenses. The disparity between lower and higher wages results from various factors such as the specialization of services, with medical gas work often yielding higher pay than general residential service due to its complexity. Plumbers aiming to maximize earnings should consider obtaining additional credentials, work with unions, and actively pursue contracts in specialty areas to capitalize on the growth and resilience of the plumbing industry in Rhode Island.
More salary data for Providence, 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 $79,820 for plumbersin the Providence 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