Plumber Salary in Johnson City, TN: $49,702 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Johnson City, TN earns a median $49,702/year (≈ $23.90/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Johnson City's price level (12% below national, BEA RPP 87.9), that paycheck buys what $56,526 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 17.4% below the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Johnson City, TN, the plumber salary in 2026 is projected at $49,702, reflecting a competitive local market albeit trailing the national median of $65,408 by a significant margin. Salary ranges for plumbers in the area span from $36,928 at the 10th percentile to $73,743 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the diversity in earning potential based on experience and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys and projected to 2026, reveals a substantial pay gap influenced by union affiliations, with UA union pipefitters often commanding salaries that exceed their non-union counterparts by 30-50%. As the plumbing sector evolves in Johnson City, understanding these dynamics can significantly impact career decisions for current and prospective plumbers.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,928 | $17.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,012 | $21.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $49,702 | $23.90 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $61,768 | $29.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $73,743 | $35.45 |
Median Salary Position
24.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Johnson City
In Johnson City, TN, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $36,815 (2026 est.). At $49,702, the local median is 24.01% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Johnson City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Johnson City Plumber Pay Compares
Johnson City median: $49,702/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Johnson City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Tennessee Average | $60,172 | -17.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -24.01% less |
Plumbers in Johnson City, TN earn a median of $49,702 per year (2026 est.), which is 24.01% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 17.40% below the Tennessee state average of $60,172.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Johnson City has a cost of living 12.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Johnson City, TN has a cost-of-living index of 87.928 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $49,702 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,526 in an average-cost city — an effective 13.73% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,140
2025 BLS Actual
$48,480
2026 Current Est.
$49,702
2019–2027 Growth
+26.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Johnson City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,140 | Actual |
| 2020 | $38,230 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,910 | Actual |
| 2022 | $45,150 | Actual |
| 2023 | $45,480 | Actual |
| 2024 | $48,290 | Actual |
| 2025 | $48,480 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $49,702 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $50,954 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Johnson City metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 20.8% from $40,140 (2019) to $48,480 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $50,954 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,814 (26.94%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Johnson City 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) | $36,928 – $44,012 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,012 – $49,702 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $49,702 – $61,768 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $61,768 – $73,743 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Johnson City
With approximately 210 plumbers employed in Johnson City, the local job market provides a steady supply of work. The cost of living index stands at 87.928, suggesting that plumbers in the area enjoy a relatively high purchasing power for their wages compared to the national average. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors linked to the UA offer the most competitive pay. Conversely, non-union service companies like Roto-Rooter provide commission structures that can lead to variable income streams, rewarding those who excel in high-demand situations. The spread between entry-level and top-earning plumbers typically hinges on specialization, with medical gas and industrial pipefitting positions commanding higher wages. To maximize pay in Johnson City, licensed professionals might consider obtaining additional credentials, focusing on niche specialties, or exploring opportunities in industrial maintenance teams that offer greater financial incentives compared to typical residential services.
More salary data for Johnson City, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $48,480 for plumbersin the Johnson City 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