Plumber Salary in Kent, WA: $81,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Kent, WA earns a median $81,902/year (≈ $39.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Kent's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $76,259 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Kent, Washington, can expect a median salary of $81,902, reflecting a robust job market that significantly outpaces the national figure of $65,408. The salary range for local plumbers lies between $57,575 at the 10th percentile and $126,948 at the 90th percentile, indicating a broad spectrum of earnings influenced by various factors including experience, specialization, and whether one is part of the union. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, projected to 2026, reveal the competitive dynamics between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers, with union wages typically commanding a premium of 30% to 50% due to collective bargaining agreements. As such, skilled professionals, particularly those with specialized certifications, tend to secure the highest compensation in the Kent market.
About the Kent Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,575 | $27.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,711 | $31.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $81,902 | $39.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $104,835 | $50.40 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,948 | $61.03 |
Median Salary Position
25.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Kent
In Kent, WA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,373 (2026 est.). At $81,902, the local median is 25.22% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Kent: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Kent Plumber Pay Compares
Kent median: $81,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Kent Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $82,066 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +25.22% more |
Plumbers in Kent, WA earn a median of $81,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.22% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.20% below the Washington state average of $82,066.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Kent has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Kent, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $81,902 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $76,259 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,070
2025 BLS Actual
$79,889
2026 Current Est.
$81,902
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Kent (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,535 | Actual |
| 2021 | $74,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,243 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,072 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,913 | Actual |
| 2025 | $79,889 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $81,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $83,966 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Kent metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $69,070 (2019) to $79,889 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $83,966 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,896 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kent 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) | $57,575 – $64,711 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,711 – $81,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $81,902 – $104,835 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $104,835 – $126,948 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Kent
Currently, only 33 plumbers are employed in Kent, a figure that highlights the localized nature of the job market. The area's cost-of-living index stands at 107.4, which places financial pressure on earnings and underscores the importance of take-home purchasing power for these professionals. Employers in Kent that pay the highest salaries include union plumbing contractors, followed by large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS / Rescue Rooter. The disparity in pay is often driven by the distinction between unionized positions, which typically enjoy more robust wages and benefits, and non-union roles that may vary widely based on commission structures. Those looking to maximize their plumber pay in Kent WA should consider pursuing union membership, acquiring specialty licenses such as medical gas credentials, and possibly aiming for self-employment or roles in industrial settings where overtime and call-out premiums can significantly increase overall pay.
More salary data for Kent, WA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Kent, WA in 2026?
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Can plumbers make $100K in Kent?
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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 $79,889 for plumbersin the Kent 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 Kent 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