Plumber Salary in Puyallup, WA: $78,563 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Puyallup, WA earns a median $78,563/year (≈ $37.77/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Puyallup's price level (7% above national, BEA RPP 107.4), that paycheck buys what $73,150 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.2% below the Washington state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Plumbers in Puyallup, Washington, find themselves in a favorable position, with an estimated median annual salary of $78,563 in 2026, significantly higher than the national median of $65,408. This local estimate indicates a broad salary range from $57,919 at the 10th percentile to $121,773 at the 90th percentile, highlighting substantial earning potential for skilled workers in the trade. The job market has a compelling dynamic, especially when comparing union pipefitters associated with the UA, who traditionally command higher wages, to their non-union counterparts in service plumbing roles. As the demand for qualified plumbers grows amid the aging infrastructure and workforce, the compensation trends in Puyallup appear robust, positioning it as an attractive location for plumbing professionals.
About the Puyallup Market
Salary estimated from Washington average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,919 | $27.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $63,537 | $30.55 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $78,563 | $37.77 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $100,561 | $48.35 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $121,773 | $58.55 |
Median Salary Position
20.11% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Puyallup
In Puyallup, WA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $63,854 (2026 est.). At $78,563, the local median is 20.11% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Puyallup: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Puyallup Plumber Pay Compares
Puyallup median: $78,563/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Puyallup Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $82,007 | -4.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +20.11% more |
Plumbers in Puyallup, WA earn a median of $78,563 per year (2026 est.), which is 20.11% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 4.20% below the Washington state average of $82,007.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Puyallup has a cost of living 7.40% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Puyallup, WA has a cost-of-living index of 107.4 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $78,563 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $73,150 — a 6.89% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$66,254
2025 BLS Actual
$76,632
2026 Current Est.
$78,563
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Puyallup (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $66,254 | Actual |
| 2020 | $67,660 | Actual |
| 2021 | $71,924 | Actual |
| 2022 | $72,176 | Actual |
| 2023 | $73,929 | Actual |
| 2024 | $84,329 | Actual |
| 2025 | $76,632 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $78,563 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $80,543 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Puyallup metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $66,254 (2019) to $76,632 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $80,543 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,289 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Puyallup 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) | $57,919 – $63,537 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $63,537 – $78,563 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $78,563 – $100,561 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $100,561 – $121,773 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Puyallup
The plumbing job market in Puyallup is relatively small, with only ten active plumbers reported in the area. This limited number of professionals, combined with a cost-of-living index of 107.4, suggests that actual purchasing power may be more constrained than the salaries imply. Employers such as union plumbing contractors typically offer the highest wages, often surpassing non-union service companies and industrial maintenance teams when available. Various factors contribute to the wage spread, including the significant income premiums for certified specialties like medical gas installation and the potential earnings variances in the commission structures at larger service companies like Roto-Rooter. To maximize their earning potential, plumbers in Puyallup should consider pursuing additional licensing, such as master and contractor licenses, and specialize in high-demand areas. Keeping up with industry trends and seeking opportunities in government or commercial projects can also be advantageous in enhancing their overall plumber pay in Puyallup, WA.
More salary data for Puyallup, WA:
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 $76,632 for plumbersin the Puyallup 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 Puyallup 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