Plumber Salary in Auburn, WA: $81,099 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Auburn, WA earns a median $81,099/year (≈ $38.99/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Auburn's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $75,511 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a plumber in Auburn, Washington can expect a median annual salary of $81,099, which stands as a notable 23.99% above the national median salary of $65,408 for plumbers. The salary range in this area is broad, from $52,888 at the 10th percentile to $125,704 at the 90th percentile. These projections, derived from 2025 BLS data and adjusted for regional price variations, reflect Auburn's strong demand for skilled plumbing professionals. Specialties in medical gas or industrial plumbing could significantly impact a plumber’s earning potential, adding an attractive premium to their base salary. With a current employment level of 23 plumbers in the area, the job market seems poised for growth, promising a solid future for professionals in this field.
About the Auburn Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $52,888 | $25.42 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,920 | $30.74 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,099 | $38.99 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,808 | $49.91 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $125,704 | $60.44 |
Median Salary Position
23.99% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Auburn
In Auburn, WA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $72,816 (2026 est.). At $81,099, the local median is 23.99% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Auburn: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Auburn Plumber Pay Compares
Auburn median: $81,099/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Auburn Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $82,084 | -1.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +23.99% more |
Plumbers in Auburn, WA earn a median of $81,099 per year (2026 est.), which is 23.99% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.20% below the Washington state average of $82,084.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Auburn has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Auburn, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,099 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $75,511 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$68,393
2025 BLS Actual
$79,106
2026 Current Est.
$81,099
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Auburn (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $68,393 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,844 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,246 | Actual |
| 2022 | $74,506 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,316 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,051 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,106 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,099 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,143 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Auburn metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $68,393 (2019) to $79,106 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,143 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,750 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Auburn 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) | $52,888 – $63,920 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,920 – $81,099 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,099 – $103,808 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,808 – $125,704 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Auburn
The job market for plumbers in Auburn is shaped by a cost-of-living index of 107.4, slightly above the national average, which affects take-home pay and lifestyle choices. Although only a small number of plumbers are currently employed locally, the distribution of pay can vary widely depending on the type of work being performed. Union plumbing contractors typically offer the highest wages, benefitting from agreements that ensure better compensation packages. Conversely, non-union service work, such as that offered by larger plumbing chains like Roto-Rooter, can result in variable pay influenced by commission structures. The spread between lower and higher salaries is thus driven by factors such as the type of employer, specialty skills in areas like medical gas, and whether a plumber holds master and contractor licenses. For those looking to maximize their income in Auburn, pursuing union positions or advanced specialty certifications, such as backflow prevention, could prove advantageous in tapping into the higher end of the salary spectrum.
More salary data for Auburn, WA:
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 $79,106 for plumbersin the Auburn 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 Auburn 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