Senior Plumber Salary in Manhattan, KS: $100,808 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of plumbers working in Manhattan, KS — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $100,808/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 47-2152. Strip back Manhattan's price premium (BEA RPP 90.2, 10% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $111,808 in average-cost America. The 62% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source

In 2026, seasoned plumbers in Manhattan, Kansas, can expect a lucrative compensation landscape, with top earners achieving salaries of $100,808 and those in the 75th percentile earning around $81,022. This disparity highlights the significant experience premium available in the market, where the median salary stands at $62,127. To access these higher earnings, professional growth is essential. This generally comes from specializing in areas such as medical gas systems or backflow prevention testing and accumulating robust hands-on experience in both service and industrial plumbing settings. Advanced certifications and mastering essential skills will be key strategies for reaching the upper echelons of plumber compensation in Manhattan's competitive job market.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Manhattan
Experienced plumbers at the top of the pay scale in Manhattan earn between $81,022 and $100,808 per year (2026 est.). This $56,120 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Manhattan median of $62,127 sits 5.02% below the US median.
Top Plumber Salary Comparison
| Level | Manhattan | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $62,127 | $65,408 |
| 75th Percentile | $81,022 | $87,255 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $100,808 | $111,152 |
In Manhattan, experienced plumbers (P90) earn 62.26% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Plumber Pay in Manhattan
Advanced Certifications in Kansas
KS plumbers with additional specialty certifications within the plumbing field earn significantly above the $62,127 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Manhattan employers.
Specialty Focus
Plumbers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the plumbing field in Manhattan command premium compensation, often reaching the $81,022–$100,808 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Manhattan metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced plumbers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured plumbers in Manhattan with established relationships have strong negotiating leverage. In this developing market, retention bonuses and annual raises are common for top performers.
Continuing Education & Leadership
Plumbers in Kansas who pursue advanced degrees, mentor junior staff, or lead clinical education programs position themselves for the highest compensation tiers and management roles.
Plumber Career & Wage Growth Path in Manhattan
Clinical Plumber
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Plumber
5-10 yearsPlumber Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedManhattan ranks #3 of 22 Kansas cities for top earner plumber salary (90th percentile: $100,808).
Top 10% plumber compensation in Manhattan ($100,808) is 3.38% above the Kansas average P90 ($97,515).
2019 BLS Actual
$74,870
2025 BLS Actual
$98,330
2026 Current Est.
$100,808
2019–2027 Growth
+38.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Manhattan (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $74,870 | Actual |
| 2020 | $78,960 | Actual |
| 2021 | $75,480 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,140 | Actual |
| 2023 | $87,260 | Actual |
| 2024 | $104,580 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,330 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,808 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,348 | Projected |
Top-earning plumbers (90th percentile) in Manhattan saw their compensation grow 31.3% from $74,870 in 2019 to $98,330 in 2025, based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for this metropolitan area. At a 2.52% annual growth rate, senior-level pay is projected to reach $103,348 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Manhattan 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.
Maximizing Your Plumber Earnings in Manhattan
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Premium pay for experienced plumbers in Manhattan often stems from specialized skills that are in short supply, particularly in the areas of industrial plumbing, medical gas systems for hospitals, and backflow prevention testing. Union contractors typically offer competitive compensation, with weekly wages exceeding those of non-union service plumbers by 30-50%. It's also worth noting that those working for large service companies tend to earn through commission structures, boosting their income potential, yet leaving them reliant on varied workloads. The range of employment types influences compensation; for example, self-employed plumbers or business owners can achieve favorable margins but bear the associated risks. Advancement paths are plentiful: from journeyman to master plumber and eventually plumbing contractor, the trajectory is clear for those who seek further credentials such as a master plumbing license or specialized certifications. With the demand for skilled plumbers rising driven partly by an aging workforce, establishing a reputation for excellence in Manhattan's plumbing community can significantly enhance overall earning potential.
More salary data for Manhattan, KS:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced plumbers make in Manhattan in 2026?
What drives higher plumber pay in Manhattan?
What certifications boost plumber salary in Manhattan?
Can experienced plumbers make six figures in Manhattan?
How much does plumber salary increase over time in Manhattan?
Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Kansas
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
Top-earner salary figures on this page are 2026 projections derived from the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. BLS reported a 90th percentile salary of $98,330 for plumbers in the Manhattan metro area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 senior-level compensation. Individual earnings depend on certifications, specialization, practice type, and years of clinical experience.
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