Plumber Salary in Austin, TX: $64,393 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Austin, TX earns a median $64,393/year (≈ $30.96/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Austin's price level (2% below national, BEA RPP 98.1), that paycheck buys what $65,663 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.6% above the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Austin, the projected 2026 median annual salary for plumbers stands at $64,393, slightly below the national median of $65,408. The local salary range spans from $41,838 at the 10th percentile to $82,959 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying levels of experience and specialization within the trade. This data, derived from projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, indicates that there is a broad spectrum of opportunities available. With a labor market that boasts over 5,260 plumbers, the demand is strong, driven by the city’s growth and ongoing infrastructure needs. Austin's unique job market presents distinct advantages for both self-employed contractors and those seeking employment with service companies, where different economic models lead to varied compensation strategies.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,838 | $20.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,989 | $24.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,393 | $30.96 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,719 | $39.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $82,959 | $39.88 |
Median Salary Position
1.55% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Austin
In Austin, TX, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,121 (2026 est.). At $64,393, the local median is 1.55% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Austin: You'd be above the median
How Austin Plumber Pay Compares
Austin median: $64,393/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Austin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $55,703 | +15.60% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -1.55% less |
Plumbers in Austin, TX earn a median of $64,393 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.55% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 15.60% above the Texas state average of $55,703.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Austin has a cost of living 1.93% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Austin, TX has a cost-of-living index of 98.066 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $64,393 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,663 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.97% boost.
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
$52,780
2025 BLS Actual
$62,810
2026 Current Est.
$64,393
2019–2027 Growth
+25.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Austin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,520 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,890 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,890 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,740 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,810 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,393 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,016 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Austin metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 19.0% from $52,780 (2019) to $62,810 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,016 by 2027 — a total increase of $13,236 (25.08%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Austin 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) | $41,838 – $49,989 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,989 – $64,393 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,393 – $81,719 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,719 – $82,959 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Austin
In looking at plumber pay in Austin TX, it's crucial to consider the local cost of living, which sits below the national average at an index of 98.066. This index influences take-home purchasing power, suggesting that even though earnings may slightly trail behind the national median, expenditures remain more manageable. Among employers, union plumbing contractors offer the highest wages due to their benefits and established pay scales, often paying 30-50% more than non-union counterparts. Other significant players include large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS, which operate on commission structures that can yield variable income for their plumbers. Specialized skills, such as medical gas and backflow prevention credentials, can further enhance earning potential. Given this climate, plumbers in Austin should focus on obtaining additional certifications and exploring opportunities in high-demand sectors like hospital plumbing or industrial maintenance to maximize their pay effectively.
More salary data for Austin, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Austin, TX in 2026?
Is Austin, TX a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Austin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Austin?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Austin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Texas
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 $62,810 for plumbersin the Austin 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