Plumber Salary in Waukesha, WI: $87,928 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Waukesha, WI earns a median $87,928/year (≈ $42.27/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Waukesha's price level (7% below national, BEA RPP 93.4), that paycheck buys what $94,141 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the plumber salary in Waukesha is projected to reach a substantial $87,928, significantly higher than the national average for this occupation, which stands at $65,408. The compensation for plumbers in this area exhibits a wide range, spanning from $59,424 at the 10th percentile to an impressive $136,289 at the 90th percentile. Such numbers indicate a highly competitive market influenced by both union and non-union employment structures. Notably, UA union pipefitters typically command a premium of 30-50% over their non-union counterparts, creating a pronounced gap that shapes the local plumber pay landscape. As a result, those with specialized training and experience are well-positioned for lucrative opportunities, particularly in industrial and commercial sectors.
About the Waukesha Market
Salary estimated from Wisconsin average ($72,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $59,424 | $28.57 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $67,445 | $32.43 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $87,928 | $42.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $112,549 | $54.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $136,289 | $65.52 |
Median Salary Position
34.43% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Waukesha
In Waukesha, WI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $76,865 (2026 est.). At $87,928, the local median is 34.43% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Waukesha: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Waukesha Plumber Pay Compares
Waukesha median: $87,928/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Waukesha Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $87,317 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +34.43% more |
Plumbers in Waukesha, WI earn a median of $87,928 per year (2026 est.), which is 34.43% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $87,317.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Waukesha 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.
Waukesha, WI has a cost-of-living index of 93.4 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $87,928 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $94,141 in an average-cost city — an effective 7.07% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$74,152
2025 BLS Actual
$85,767
2026 Current Est.
$87,928
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Waukesha (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,152 | Actual |
| 2020 | $75,725 | Actual |
| 2021 | $80,497 | Actual |
| 2022 | $80,780 | Actual |
| 2023 | $82,742 | Actual |
| 2024 | $67,414 | Actual |
| 2025 | $85,767 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $87,928 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $90,144 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Waukesha metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $74,152 (2019) to $85,767 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $90,144 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,992 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Waukesha 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) | $59,424 – $67,445 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $67,445 – $87,928 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $87,928 – $112,549 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $112,549 – $136,289 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Waukesha
Waukesha has a small but stable pool of 14 employed plumbers, highlighting a niche job market where skilled professionals can find opportunities. The cost-of-living index for Waukesha sits at 93.4, suggesting that plumbers' take-home pay is relatively stronger compared to many areas. Employers with the highest pay rates tend to be union plumbing contractors, followed by large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS/Rescue Rooter. The disparity in salaries is influenced by several factors, including union membership, specific skill sets in areas like medical gas and backflow prevention, and the licensed status of plumbers. To maximize pay in Waukesha’s market, pursuing master and contractor licenses is advisable, as is gaining experience in high-demand sectors like industrial maintenance, which often offer better compensation packages and overtime options.
More salary data for Waukesha, WI:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Waukesha, WI in 2026?
Is Waukesha, WI a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Waukesha?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Waukesha?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Waukesha?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Wisconsin
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 $85,767 for plumbersin the Waukesha 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 Waukesha 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