Plumber Salary

Eugene vs Milwaukie: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Eugene, OR and Milwaukie, OR. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Eugene, OR
$87,050
$41.85/hr
Milwaukie, OR
$79,731
$38.33/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricEugene, ORMilwaukie, OR
Median Salary$87,050$79,731
Hourly Rate$41.85$38.33
Entry Level (P10)$48,718$59,287
25th Percentile$60,251$64,571
75th Percentile$98,563$102,056
Top Earner (P90)$105,083$123,583
Total Employed2106
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Eugene ($87,050) and Milwaukie ($79,731) plumber salaries.EugeneMilwaukieMedian Salary$87,050$79,731Entry Level (P10)$48,718$59,287Top Earner (P90)$105,083$123,583US Median $65,408

Verdict

Eugene, OR offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Milwaukie.

The salary gap between Eugene and Milwaukie is $7,319 (9.18%). Eugene's median is +33.09% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Eugene spans $56,365,Milwaukie spans $64,296. Milwaukie has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Eugene
P10 (Entry)$48,718
P25$60,251
Median$87,050
P75$98,563
P90 (Top)$105,083
Milwaukie
P10 (Entry)$59,287
P25$64,571
Median$79,731
P75$102,056
P90 (Top)$123,583

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Eugene ($85,706 effective) pays 10.29% more than Milwaukie ($77,711 effective).

Eugene
Nominal: $87,050
CoL Index: 101.568
Adjusted: $85,706
Milwaukie
Nominal: $79,731
CoL Index: 102.6
Adjusted: $77,711

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Eugene if…

  • Higher median salary ($87,050/year)
  • Larger job market (210 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $85,706)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Choose Milwaukie if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($123,583)
  • You prefer the Oregon area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Eugene grew 53.5% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 5.7% growth in Milwaukie over the same period.

Eugene, OR

+53.5%

$55,310 (2019) → $84,910 (2025)

Milwaukie, OR

+5.7%

$73,550 (2024) → $77,771 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Eugene or Milwaukie?

Eugene has a higher median plumber salary at $87,050/year, compared to Milwaukie at $79,731/year — a difference of $7,319 (9.18%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Eugene and Milwaukie?

Eugene plumbers earn $41.85/hr while Milwaukie hygienists earn $38.33/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Eugene to Milwaukie as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Eugene and Milwaukie. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Eugene = $85,706, Milwaukie = $77,711), job availability (210 vs 6 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Eugene vs Milwaukie?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $48,718 in Eugene and $59,287 in Milwaukie. The Milwaukie area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov