Plumber Salary in College Station, TX: $51,034 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in College Station, TX earns a median $51,034/year (≈ $24.53/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in College Station's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 91.0), that paycheck buys what $56,112 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 8.4% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in College Station, TX, stands at $51,034, which is substantially lower than the national median of $65,408, marking a 21.98% difference. Salary ranges are quite broad, from $36,661 at the 10th percentile to $78,305 at the 90th percentile, indicating the varying levels of experience and skill in the local workforce. These figures stem from the official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) data, projected for 2026. The plumbing market in College Station is expected to continue growing, with factors like aging infrastructure and a retiring workforce creating ongoing demand for skilled professionals. For those looking to specialize, securing credentials in areas such as medical gas installation or backflow prevention can enhance earning potential, especially when compared to traditional residential plumbing roles.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,661 | $17.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $44,781 | $21.53 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $51,034 | $24.53 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,228 | $31.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $78,305 | $37.65 |
Median Salary Position
21.98% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in College Station
In College Station, TX, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $41,644 (2026 est.). At $51,034, the local median is 21.98% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in College Station: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How College Station Plumber Pay Compares
College Station median: $51,034/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | College Station Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $55,714 | -8.40% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -21.98% less |
Plumbers in College Station, TX earn a median of $51,034 per year (2026 est.), which is 21.98% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 8.40% below the Texas state average of $55,714.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
College Station has a cost of living 9.05% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
College Station, TX has a cost-of-living index of 90.951 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $51,034 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $56,112 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.95% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$45,530
2025 BLS Actual
$49,780
2026 Current Est.
$51,034
2019–2027 Growth
+14.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in College Station (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,530 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,530 | Actual |
| 2021 | $44,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $47,550 | Actual |
| 2023 | $53,640 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,490 | Actual |
| 2025 | $49,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $51,034 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $52,321 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the College Station metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 9.3% from $45,530 (2019) to $49,780 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $52,321 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,791 (14.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the College Station 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) | $36,661 – $44,781 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $44,781 – $51,034 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $51,034 – $66,228 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,228 – $78,305 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in College Station
With around 400 plumbers currently employed in College Station, the local job market reflects a stable demand for skilled labor—yet the cost of living, as indicated by a cost of living index of 90.951, suggests that take-home pay has a more substantial impact on overall purchasing power. Higher salaries in this region often go to union plumbers affiliated with the United Association, who may earn significantly more than their non-union counterparts. The disparity in plumber pay in College Station, TX, often arises from differences in employment sectors; unions and high-skill specialties like medical gas installation tend to command higher wages compared to typical residential service work. Strong strategies for maximizing income include pursuing union membership, acquiring advanced certifications, and tapping into the lucrative service plumbing sector, which, despite its variability, offers significant income potential through commission structures. Understanding these dynamics can help aspiring plumbers navigate their career paths effectively in this market.
More salary data for College Station, TX:
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 $49,780 for plumbersin the College Station 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