Senior Plumber Salary in Great Falls, MT: $100,623 (2026)
Quick Answer:The top tier of plumbers working in Great Falls, MT — those at or above the 90th percentile — pull in $100,623/year or more for 2026, based on BLS OEWS 2025 estimates for SOC 47-2152. Strip back Great Falls's price premium (BEA RPP 96.8, 3% below national) and that top-decile pay carries the same buying power as $103,901 in average-cost America. The 27% spread above city median typically rewards 7+ years of practice or specialty credentials.
Official BLS data · View source
In Great Falls, MT, the potential for experienced plumbers to command impressive salaries is becoming increasingly evident, particularly for those who specialize or work in high-demand sectors. In 2026, top earners in this area can achieve a salary up to $100,623, significantly above the median salary of $79,043. This discrepancy highlights the value placed on seasoned professionals who have honed their skills over seven or more years in the field. Furthermore, with the projected salary range reaching down to $49,220 for the lowest earners, motivated plumbers can effectively elevate their earnings well beyond this threshold through sufficient experience, specialization, and strategic career moves, increasingly paralleling top-tier salaries found elsewhere in the industry.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Great Falls
Experienced plumbers at the top of the pay scale in Great Falls earn between $92,904 and $100,623 per year (2026 est.). This $51,403 range from 10th to 90th percentile reflects significant earnings potential growth over a career. The Great Falls median of $79,043 sits 20.85% above the US median.
Top Plumber Salary Comparison
| Level | Great Falls | National |
|---|---|---|
| Median (P50) | $79,043 | $65,408 |
| 75th Percentile | $92,904 | $87,255 |
| 90th Percentile (Top 10%) | $100,623 | $111,152 |
In Great Falls, experienced plumbers (P90) earn 27.30% more than the local median — reflecting the significant value of specialization and tenure in this market.
What Drives Top Plumber Pay in Great Falls
Advanced Certifications in Montana
MT plumbers with additional specialty certifications within the plumbing field earn significantly above the $79,043 median. Expanded-scope credentials are increasingly valued by Great Falls employers.
Specialty Focus
Plumbers focusing on high-acuity or specialty areas within the plumbing field in Great Falls command premium compensation, often reaching the $92,904–$100,623 range.
Large Health-System & Multi-Site Experience
Large hospital systems and multi-site employers in the Great Falls metro area often pay above-market rates for experienced plumbers who demonstrate efficiency and leadership.
Employer Loyalty & Patient Relationships
Long-tenured plumbers in Great Falls 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 Montana 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 Great Falls
Clinical Plumber
0-5 yearsSenior/Lead Plumber
5-10 yearsPlumber Department Manager
10+ yearsEducator / Specialty Leadership
AdvancedGreat Falls ranks #3 of 7 Montana cities for top earner plumber salary (90th percentile: $100,623).
Top 10% plumber compensation in Great Falls ($100,623) is 2.16% below the Montana average P90 ($102,845).
2019 BLS Actual
$64,440
2025 BLS Actual
$98,150
2026 Current Est.
$100,623
2019–2027 Growth
+60.1%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Great Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $64,440 | Actual |
| 2020 | $65,450 | Actual |
| 2021 | $76,450 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,360 | Actual |
| 2023 | $83,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,610 | Actual |
| 2025 | $98,150 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $100,623 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $103,159 | Projected |
Top-earning plumbers (90th percentile) in Great Falls saw their compensation grow 52.3% from $64,440 in 2019 to $98,150 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 $103,159 by 2027, reflecting continued demand for clinical expertise and expanded-function credentials.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Great 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.
Maximizing Your Plumber Earnings in Great Falls
The senior plumber pay in MT varies greatly depending on various factors, including specialization and employer type. Certain fields, such as medical gas systems and industrial pipefitting, command higher wages due to their complexity and specialized knowledge requirements. The differences in compensation are stark when comparing unionized positions—where skills and union membership can result in significant financial benefits—against non-union contractors or service companies like Roto-Rooter. Advancement pathways abound in this sector, with opportunities to rise from journeyman to master plumber or even plumbing contractor, further enhancing earnings. Additionally, obtaining advanced credentials such as a master plumbing license or medical gas installer certification can yield substantial financial rewards. The overall demand for plumbing services in Great Falls is bolstered by an aging workforce and infrastructure, which in turn drives salaries upward as experienced professionals step into critical roles.
More salary data for Great Falls, MT:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do experienced plumbers make in Great Falls in 2026?
What drives higher plumber pay in Great Falls?
What certifications boost plumber salary in Great Falls?
Can experienced plumbers make six figures in Great Falls?
How much does plumber salary increase over time in Great Falls?
Related Pages
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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
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 $98,150 for plumbers in the Great Falls 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