Plumber Salary in Sugar Land, TX: $55,528 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Sugar Land, TX earns a median $55,528/year (≈ $26.70/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Sugar Land's price level (4% below national, BEA RPP 96.0), that paycheck buys what $57,842 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% below the Texas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Sugar Land, TX, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is anticipated to reach $55,528. This figure is notably lower than the national median salary of $65,408, reflecting a difference of approximately 15.11%. The local salary range for plumbers extends from $38,937 at the 10th percentile to $86,069 at the 90th percentile, indicating a healthy diversity in compensation depending on experience and specialization. These estimates, based on 2025 BLS data projected to 2026 and adjusted for local cost of living, provide insight into the compensation landscape for plumbing professionals in the area. With a small workforce of 21 plumbers, Sugar Land's job market offers a compact yet potentially competitive environment, especially considering the pay disparities between union and non-union positions.
About the Sugar Land Market
Salary estimated from Texas average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,937 | $18.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $43,799 | $21.06 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,528 | $26.70 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $71,076 | $34.17 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $86,069 | $41.38 |
Median Salary Position
15.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Sugar Land
In Sugar Land, TX, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $47,132 (2026 est.). At $55,528, the local median is 15.11% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Sugar Land: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Sugar Land Plumber Pay Compares
Sugar Land median: $55,528/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Sugar Land Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Texas Average | $55,695 | -0.30% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -15.11% less |
Plumbers in Sugar Land, TX earn a median of $55,528 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.11% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.30% below the Texas state average of $55,695.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Sugar Land has a cost of living 4.00% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Sugar Land, TX has a cost-of-living index of 96 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $55,528 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $57,842 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,828
2025 BLS Actual
$54,163
2026 Current Est.
$55,528
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Sugar Land (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,828 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,821 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,835 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,013 | Actual |
| 2023 | $52,253 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,519 | Actual |
| 2025 | $54,163 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,528 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,927 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Sugar Land metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $46,828 (2019) to $54,163 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,927 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,099 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Sugar Land 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) | $38,937 – $43,799 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $43,799 – $55,528 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,528 – $71,076 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $71,076 – $86,069 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Sugar Land
Understanding the local job market dynamics is essential for aspiring and current plumbers seeking to maximize their pay in Sugar Land. The cost of living index sits at 96, meaning housing and daily expenses are slightly below national averages, which can impact take-home pay for plumbers. Unionized positions, particularly with the UA (United Association), tend to offer higher wages, often running 30-50% more than the pay from non-union jobs, reflecting their specialized skills and seniority. Employers such as large service companies and industrial maintenance teams provide compelling compensation packages, but plumbers must also navigate the often-variable income associated with commission-based roles. Given the aging infrastructure combined with an older workforce, opportunities abound across various specialties, including medical gas installation and backflow prevention, encouraging plumbers to pursue additional certifications as a strategy for enhancing their market value and earnings in this competitive sector.
More salary data for Sugar Land, 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 $54,163 for plumbersin the Sugar Land 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 Sugar Land 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