Plumber Salary

Grand Rapids vs Taylor: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Grand Rapids, MI and Taylor, MI. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Grand Rapids, MI
$82,467
$39.64/hr
Taylor, MI
$79,440
$38.19/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGrand Rapids, MITaylor, MI
Median Salary$82,467$79,440
Hourly Rate$39.64$38.19
Entry Level (P10)$47,805$51,857
25th Percentile$59,000$64,571
75th Percentile$93,611$101,682
Top Earner (P90)$100,685$123,132
Total Employed2,27016
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Grand Rapids ($82,467) and Taylor ($79,440) plumber salaries.Grand RapidsTaylorMedian Salary$82,467$79,440Entry Level (P10)$47,805$51,857Top Earner (P90)$100,685$123,132US Median $65,408

Verdict

Grand Rapids, MI offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 3 out of 4 metrics compared to Taylor.

The salary gap between Grand Rapids and Taylor is $3,027 (3.81%). Grand Rapids's median is +26.08% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Grand Rapids spans $52,880,Taylor spans $71,275. Taylor has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Grand Rapids
P10 (Entry)$47,805
P25$59,000
Median$82,467
P75$93,611
P90 (Top)$100,685
Taylor
P10 (Entry)$51,857
P25$64,571
Median$79,440
P75$101,682
P90 (Top)$123,132

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Grand Rapids ($86,311 effective) pays 1.26% more than Taylor ($85,236 effective).

Grand Rapids
Nominal: $82,467
CoL Index: 95.546
Adjusted: $86,311
Taylor
Nominal: $79,440
CoL Index: 93.2
Adjusted: $85,236

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Grand Rapids if…

  • Higher median salary ($82,467/year)
  • Larger job market (2,270 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $86,311)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Choose Taylor if…

  • Better top-earner potential ($123,132)
  • You prefer the Michigan area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Grand Rapids grew 66.2% from 2019 to 2025, compared to 19.9% growth in Taylor over the same period.

Grand Rapids, MI

+66.2%

$48,410 (2019) → $80,440 (2025)

Taylor, MI

+19.9%

$64,637 (2024) → $77,487 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Grand Rapids or Taylor?

Grand Rapids has a higher median plumber salary at $82,467/year, compared to Taylor at $79,440/year — a difference of $3,027 (3.81%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Grand Rapids and Taylor?

Grand Rapids plumbers earn $39.64/hr while Taylor hygienists earn $38.19/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Grand Rapids to Taylor as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Grand Rapids and Taylor. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Grand Rapids = $86,311, Taylor = $85,236), job availability (2,270 vs 16 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Grand Rapids vs Taylor?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,805 in Grand Rapids and $51,857 in Taylor. The Taylor area offers higher starting salaries.

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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