Plumber Salary in McAllen, TX: $47,272 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in McAllen, TX earns a median $47,272/year (≈ $22.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in McAllen's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.9), that paycheck buys what $55,035 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 15.1% below the Texas state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the anticipated compensation for plumbers in McAllen, Texas is projected to be $47,272, significantly lower than the national median of $65,408, reflecting a regional pay structure influenced by various factors. The salary range is notable, spanning from $31,135 at the lower 10th percentile to $63,696 at the 90th percentile, illustrating the potential variance in earnings based on experience and specialization. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, highlights the earnings gap faced by local plumbers compared to the national average. The job market in McAllen for plumbers remains robust, indicating ongoing demand, especially for those with specialized skills in areas such as medical gas and underground utility plumbing, further driving salary differentials.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $31,135 | $14.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $39,193 | $18.84 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $47,272 | $22.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $57,667 | $27.72 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $63,696 | $30.62 |
Median Salary Position
27.73% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in McAllen
In McAllen, TX, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $32,561 (2026 est.). At $47,272, the local median is 27.73% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in McAllen: You'd be above the median
How McAllen Plumber Pay Compares
McAllen median: $47,272/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | McAllen Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $55,680 | -15.10% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -27.73% less |
Plumbers in McAllen, TX earn a median of $47,272 per year (2026 est.), which is 27.73% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 15.10% below the Texas state average of $55,680.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
McAllen has a cost of living 14.11% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
McAllen, TX has a cost-of-living index of 85.895 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $47,272 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $55,035 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.42% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$40,130
2025 BLS Actual
$46,110
2026 Current Est.
$47,272
2019–2027 Growth
+20.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in McAllen (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $40,130 | Actual |
| 2020 | $42,600 | Actual |
| 2021 | $45,670 | Actual |
| 2022 | $44,970 | Actual |
| 2023 | $44,870 | Actual |
| 2024 | $45,510 | Actual |
| 2025 | $46,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $47,272 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $48,463 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the McAllen metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 14.9% from $40,130 (2019) to $46,110 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $48,463 by 2027 — a total increase of $8,333 (20.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the McAllen 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) | $31,135 – $39,193 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $39,193 – $47,272 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $47,272 – $57,667 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $57,667 – $63,696 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in McAllen
As of the latest estimates, McAllen employs about 360 plumbers, showcasing a stable local job market for this trade. The cost of living in McAllen is notably lower than the national average, with a cost-of-living index sitting at 85.895, which elevates the purchasing power of plumber pay in the area. Among the highest-paying employers are union plumbing contractors, who often offer premiums significantly above non-union counterparts. This pay disparity underscores the benefits of union membership, particularly for those with specialty credentials like medical gas training. The variation in salaries is also influenced by factors such as the commission structures of large service companies and the opportunities available for self-employed plumbers. For those looking to maximize their earnings, pursuing union membership or attaining specialized licenses would be wise choices in the McAllen market.
More salary data for McAllen, 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 $46,110 for plumbersin the McAllen 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