Plumber Salary in Westerly, RI: $61,388 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Westerly, RI earns a median $61,388/year (≈ $29.52/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Westerly's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 100.5), that paycheck buys what $61,083 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 6.6% below the Rhode Island state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In 2026, plumbers in Westerly, Rhode Island, can anticipate a median salary of $61,388, positioning them slightly below the national median of $65,408. The local salary range varies widely, from $47,295 at the 10th percentile to $95,151 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial opportunities for experienced professionals. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for regional price parities, highlight the advantages of self-employment as a contractor versus traditional employment in service plumbing. Although working as an independent plumber could yield higher income potential, job security and consistent work from established service companies provide a balanced consideration for many professionals in the Westerly area.
About the Westerly Market
Salary estimated from Rhode Island average ($66,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,295 | $22.74 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,913 | $24.48 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $61,388 | $29.52 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,903 | $37.45 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $95,151 | $45.74 |
Median Salary Position
6.15% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Westerly
In Westerly, RI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,856 (2026 est.). At $61,388, the local median is 6.15% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Westerly: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Westerly Plumber Pay Compares
Westerly median: $61,388/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Westerly Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Rhode Island Average | $65,726 | -6.60% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -6.15% less |
Plumbers in Westerly, RI earn a median of $61,388 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 6.60% below the Rhode Island state average of $65,726.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Westerly has a cost of living 0.50% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Westerly, RI has a cost-of-living index of 100.5 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $61,388 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,083 — a 0.5% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$51,770
2025 BLS Actual
$59,879
2026 Current Est.
$61,388
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Westerly (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $51,770 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,868 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $56,397 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,767 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,944 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,879 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $61,388 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,935 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Westerly metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $51,770 (2019) to $59,879 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,935 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,165 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Westerly 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) | $47,295 – $50,913 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,913 – $61,388 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $61,388 – $77,903 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,903 – $95,151 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Westerly
Currently, only five plumbers are employed in Westerly, which highlights a niche job market and a corresponding cost-of-living index slightly above the national average at 100.5. This cost framework impacts take-home pay, making it vital for local plumbers to recognize which employers may offer the best compensation. Union plumbing contractors, for example, generally provide better pay compared to non-union businesses, while specialties such as medical gas or backflow prevention can command even higher wages. The disparity in pay is often driven by factors such as skillset, licensing—both master and contractor licenses—as well as the income variability associated with commission-based work at larger service companies like Roto-Rooter. To maximize their earnings, plumbers in Westerly should consider obtaining advanced certifications and licenses, opting for roles with government utilities, or pursuing specialty trades that are currently in high demand, thereby increasing their value in a competitive field.
More salary data for Westerly, RI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Westerly, RI in 2026?
Is Westerly, RI a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Westerly?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Westerly?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Westerly?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Rhode Island
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 $59,879 for plumbersin the Westerly 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 Westerly 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