Plumber Salary in Oshkosh, WI: $88,495 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Oshkosh, WI earns a median $88,495/year (≈ $42.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Oshkosh's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 92.9), that paycheck buys what $95,229 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.4% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the plumber salary in Oshkosh, WI is projected to reach a median annual figure of $88,495, substantially higher than the national median of $65,408. This reflects a robust regional job market where unionized pipefitters typically command salaries that can be 30-50% greater than their non-union counterparts. The overall salary range for plumbers in the area spans from $54,684 at the 10th percentile to $113,695 at the 90th percentile. This salary data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, illustrates a competitive landscape influenced by both the presence of the United Association (UA) and growing demand for plumbing services across various sectors such as residential, industrial, and healthcare facilities.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,684 | $26.29 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $71,046 | $34.16 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $88,495 | $42.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $110,178 | $52.97 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $113,695 | $54.66 |
Median Salary Position
35.30% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Oshkosh
In Oshkosh, WI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,011 (2026 est.). At $88,495, the local median is 35.3% above the national median of $65,408.
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At 40 hours/week in Oshkosh: You'd be above the median
How Oshkosh Plumber Pay Compares
Oshkosh median: $88,495/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Oshkosh Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $87,273 | +1.40% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +35.30% more |
Plumbers in Oshkosh, WI earn a median of $88,495 per year (2026 est.), which is 35.30% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.40% above the Wisconsin state average of $87,273.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Oshkosh has a cost of living 7.07% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Oshkosh, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.929 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $88,495 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $95,229 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.61% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,280
2025 BLS Actual
$86,320
2026 Current Est.
$88,495
2019–2027 Growth
+70.3%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Oshkosh (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,280 | Actual |
| 2020 | $62,550 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,870 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,990 | Actual |
| 2023 | $76,950 | Actual |
| 2024 | $80,360 | Actual |
| 2025 | $86,320 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $88,495 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,725 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Oshkosh metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 62.0% from $53,280 (2019) to $86,320 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,725 by 2027 — a total increase of $37,445 (70.28%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Oshkosh 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) | $54,684 – $71,046 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $71,046 – $88,495 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $88,495 – $110,178 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $110,178 – $113,695 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Oshkosh
The local plumbing market in Oshkosh comprises around 230 employed plumbers, a workforce poised to meet the city’s growing needs while benefitting from a cost of living index of 92.929—meaning housing and living expenses are below the national average. This translates to improved purchasing power for plumbers, particularly those aligned with union contractors or specializing in niches like medical gas installation, which often command higher pay than general service work. Employers such as large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS typically offer commission-based structures that can boost earnings. Strategies for maximizing income include obtaining additional specialty credentials, pursuing union membership, and focusing on high-demand areas like industrial plumbing or backflow prevention. With an annual growth rate of 2.52%, job prospects remain strong, ensuring continued opportunities for skilled tradespeople in this vibrant local market.
More salary data for Oshkosh, WI:
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 $86,320 for plumbersin the Oshkosh 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