How much do plumbers make in North Carolina?
The median plumber in North Carolina earns $50,990 a year — about $24.52 an hour. That is 47th of 54, and $15,347 below the national median.
| Lowest 10% | $37,690 | $18.12/hr |
|---|---|---|
| Median | $50,990 | $24.52/hr |
| Top 10% | $72,650 | $34.93/hr |
| Plumbers employed | 14,300 | |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2024, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). See the BLS data.
The top 10% earn $21,660 more than the median
That is the real gap in North Carolina — $21,660 a year between a median plumber and the top of the trade. Very little of it is the hourly rate. It is how many days have paid work on them.
A plumber charging well but idle two days a week earns less than one charging the same and busy six. That part is within your control — if you can fill the diary without spending the margin on leads to do it.
What this number leaves out
BLS measures plumbers on a wage. It does not measure the self-employed. If you run your own van you keep the full value of the job rather than an hourly rate, so your ceiling is above $72,650 — and your floor is below $37,690, because a week with no work pays nothing at all.
Fill the diary without paying for leads
Pipe Well books the customer's appointment and sends it to one plumber — not five. Free to join, no monthly fee, no charge per lead. We are paid 50% of the job after your documented materials, and only once the customer has paid you.
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Plumber pay in other states
- Illinois — $96,200
- Oregon — $93,110
- Minnesota — $83,280
- Massachusetts — $83,260
- Alaska — $83,090
- District of Columbia — $81,950
- Washington — $79,070
- Hawaii — $78,540
Questions
How much do plumbers make in North Carolina?
The median plumber in North Carolina earns $50,990 a year, about $24.52 an hour, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (May 2024). The lowest 10% earn under $37,690 and the top 10% earn over $72,650.
Is that above or below the rest of the country?
North Carolina ranks 47 of 54. The median there is $15,347 below the national employment-weighted median of $66,337.
Do self-employed plumbers earn more?
These figures cover plumbers on a wage. BLS does not measure the self-employed. A plumber running their own van keeps the whole job value rather than an hourly rate, so the ceiling is higher and the floor is lower — an empty week pays nothing. Utilisation, not hourly rate, is what separates the top 10% from the median.
How many plumbers work in North Carolina?
About 14,300 plumbers, pipefitters and steamfitters are employed in North Carolina.
More for North Carolina plumbers: license requirements · plumbing leads in North Carolina · what leads really cost · our pricing