Plumber Salary in River Falls, WI: $82,268 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in River Falls, WI earns a median $82,268/year (≈ $39.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in River Falls's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $88,081 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.8% below the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In River Falls, Wisconsin, plumbers are projected to earn a median annual salary of $82,268 in 2026, reflecting a competitive landscape for skilled tradespeople in the area. This figure stands significantly above the national median of $65,408, highlighting the city’s strong earning potential. The salary range for plumbers in River Falls varies widely, from $57,724 at the 10th percentile to $127,515 for the top earners, showing distinct opportunities depending on experience and specialization. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and regionally adjusted for local cost of living, indicating that the economic context of River Falls fosters robust income for plumbing professionals. With only five plumbers currently employed in the area, market opportunities may also hinge on local demand exceeding supply.
About the River Falls Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $57,724 | $27.75 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,286 | $32.35 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $82,268 | $39.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $105,303 | $50.62 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,515 | $61.31 |
Median Salary Position
25.78% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in River Falls
In River Falls, WI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $69,791 (2026 est.). At $82,268, the local median is 25.78% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in River Falls: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How River Falls Plumber Pay Compares
River Falls median: $82,268/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | River Falls Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $87,334 | -5.80% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +25.78% more |
Plumbers in River Falls, WI earn a median of $82,268 per year (2026 est.), which is 25.78% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 5.80% below the Wisconsin state average of $87,334.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
River Falls has a cost of living 6.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
River Falls, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $82,268 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $88,081 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$69,379
2025 BLS Actual
$80,246
2026 Current Est.
$82,268
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in River Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $69,379 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,850 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,316 | Actual |
| 2022 | $75,580 | Actual |
| 2023 | $77,416 | Actual |
| 2024 | $63,367 | Actual |
| 2025 | $80,246 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $82,268 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $84,341 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the River Falls metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $69,379 (2019) to $80,246 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $84,341 by 2027 — a total increase of $14,962 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the River Falls 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) | $57,724 – $67,286 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,286 – $82,268 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $82,268 – $105,303 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $105,303 – $127,515 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in River Falls
In the context of River Falls' job market, the cost of living significantly influences take-home pay, as indicated by the area’s cost-of-living index of 93.4, below the national average. This economic landscape allows plumbers to maximize their purchasing power despite varied salary structures. Employers in River Falls span across union and non-union categories, with union positions often commanding higher wages due to agreements that provide better compensation and benefits. Self-employed plumbers might see variable income based on their ability to secure contracts, while larger service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS commonly offer commission opportunities that can lead to substantial earnings. Wage discrepancies can also arise from specialization, with experts in medical gas and backflow prevention frequently earning more due to the specialized skill set required. To enhance earning potential in River Falls, plumbers should consider obtaining additional credentials like those for medical gas installation while exploring positions that leverage commission and overtime for increased pay.
More salary data for River Falls, 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 $80,246 for plumbersin the River Falls 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 River Falls 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