Plumber Salary in Walla Walla, WA: $72,164 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Walla Walla, WA earns a median $72,164/year (≈ $34.69/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Walla Walla's price level (1% below national, BEA RPP 98.5), that paycheck buys what $73,249 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 12.0% below the Washington state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Walla Walla, Washington, the projections for plumber salaries in 2026 indicate a median annual income of $72,164, which reflects a notable 10.33% increase compared to the national median of $65,408. The full range of salaries spans from $45,857 at the lower end (P10) to $126,089 at the upper end (P90), illustrating a diverse compensation landscape influenced by various employment factors. Based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, this salary distribution highlights the impact of union representation in plumbing. Union pipefitters can command substantially higher wages, often 30-50% more than non-union counterparts, creating a competitive wage dynamic in Walla Walla's plumbing market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,857 | $22.05 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,224 | $25.11 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,164 | $34.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $96,174 | $46.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $126,089 | $60.62 |
Median Salary Position
10.33% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Walla Walla
In Walla Walla, WA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,232 (2026 est.). At $72,164, the local median is 10.33% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Walla Walla: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Walla Walla Plumber Pay Compares
Walla Walla median: $72,164/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Walla Walla Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Washington Average | $82,004 | -12.00% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +10.33% more |
Plumbers in Walla Walla, WA earn a median of $72,164 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.33% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 12.00% below the Washington state average of $82,004.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Walla Walla has a cost of living 1.48% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Walla Walla, WA has a cost-of-living index of 98.519 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $72,164 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $73,249 in an average-cost city — an effective 1.5% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$61,860
2025 BLS Actual
$70,390
2026 Current Est.
$72,164
2019–2027 Growth
+19.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Walla Walla (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $61,860 | Actual |
| 2020 | $61,270 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,400 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,700 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,140 | Actual |
| 2024 | $74,040 | Actual |
| 2025 | $70,390 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,164 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $73,982 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Walla Walla metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 13.8% from $61,860 (2019) to $70,390 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $73,982 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,122 (19.60%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Walla Walla 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) | $45,857 – $52,224 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,224 – $72,164 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,164 – $96,174 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $96,174 – $126,089 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Walla Walla
The local employment situation shows there are around 80 plumbers actively working in Walla Walla, reflective of a healthy demand in the area. Despite being below the national cost of living average with an index of 98.519, this situation can influence purchasing power for plumbers. Union contractors typically offer the highest salaries, while open-shop and residential contractors tend to provide lower pay, factoring in the specialty of work such as medical gas installation that commands higher rates. Other employers, such as large service companies like Roto-Rooter or ARS/Rescue Rooter, may base compensation on a commission structure, providing potential for higher earnings but at variable income levels. To maximize their pay, local plumbers should consider acquiring specialized credentials, such as medical gas or backflow prevention, and pursue opportunities with union affiliations that offer greater financial rewards in the long run.
More salary data for Walla Walla, 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 $70,390 for plumbersin the Walla Walla 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