Entry-Level Plumber Salary in Wichita Falls, TX: $37,410 (2026)
Quick Answer:New plumbers entering the Wichita Falls, TX job market in 2026 can expect a starting salary around $37,410 (BLS 10th-percentile benchmark for SOC 47-2152, projected from 2025 OEWS data). Stripping out Wichita Falls's local price level (BEA RPP 89.5 — 10% below national), a first-year paycheck buys what $41,793 would in average-cost America. Most reach the city median ($50,450) within a few years of clinical practice.
Official BLS data · View source
For new graduates entering the plumbing workforce in Wichita Falls, the entry-level pay is both promising and competitive. The starting salary for entry-level plumbers is projected at around $37,410 in 2026, which is notably lower than the median annual salary of $50,450 for experienced plumbers in the area. For early-career professionals, this translates to significant room for growth; over the first three to five years, individuals may see their earnings increase as they reach a projected $42,105 at the 25th percentile. With a steady growth rate of 2.52% for the plumbing sector, Wichita Falls represents a decent market for new grads, especially considering its lower cost of living index of 89.513 compared to the national average of 100.
Career Earnings Timeline in Wichita Falls
New Graduate
Early Career
Mid Career
Experienced
Salary progression estimated from BLS percentile data. Actual progression varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Wichita Falls
Entry-level plumbers in Wichita Falls, TX typically start between $37,410 and $42,105 per year (2026 est.). The full salary range spans $37,389 from the 10th to 90th percentile, with the local median at $50,450 — 22.87% below the national median.
Return on Investment
The average plumbing program cost in Texas of $10,000 represents just 26.73% of the starting plumber pay ($37,410/year) in Wichita Falls. Most graduates begin earning back their investment from day one, though actual ROI varies based on living expenses, loan interest, and the 2-year opportunity cost of schooling.
Program cost estimates reflect apprenticeship-based training (primarily paid OJT) with union dues, tools, books, and related technical instruction fees. Non-union/trade school pathways cost more. Actual costs vary by local UA chapter and state licensing requirements.
Plumber Salary Negotiation Tips for New Graduates in Wichita Falls
- 1Research the Wichita Falls market: entry-level plumber pay ranges from $37,410 to $42,105, so aim for at least the 25th percentile if you have strong credentials.
- 2Highlight any additional certifications or specialty training within the plumbing field — employers in TX often pay a premium for expanded scope of work.
- 3Evaluate the full compensation package — in Wichita Falls, benefits like health insurance, continuing-education allowances, and schedule flexibility can add 20-30% to your effective compensation.
- 4Consider starting with a larger hospital system or multi-site employer in Wichita Falls for competitive entry-level pay and structured mentorship, then move to a smaller employer once you have 2-3 years of experience.
- 5Wichita Falls's below-average cost of living means your starting salary goes further here compared to many larger metro areas.
Plumber Compensation Range
The plumber wage spread in Wichita Falls is $37,389 ( 99.94%) between entry-level and top earners. Starting at $37,410, experienced hygienists can earn up to $74,799.
Represents the current salary spread across experience levels, not projected career growth rate.
2019 BLS Actual
$25,060
2025 BLS Actual
$36,490
2026 Current Est.
$37,410
2019–2027 Growth
+53.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Wichita Falls (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25,060 | Actual |
| 2020 | $26,320 | Actual |
| 2021 | $27,980 | Actual |
| 2022 | $36,250 | Actual |
| 2023 | $34,780 | Actual |
| 2024 | $32,030 | Actual |
| 2025 | $36,490 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $37,410 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $38,352 | Projected |
Entry-level plumber compensation (10th percentile) in Wichita Falls, TX grew 45.6% over 7 years based on actual BLS metropolitan area surveys, rising from $25,060 in 2019 to $36,490 in 2025. By 2027, starting salaries are projected to reach $38,352. New graduates entering the Wichita Falls job market can expect continued year-over-year gains.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Wichita 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.
Starting Your plumbing Career in Wichita Falls
In Wichita Falls, a multitude of employers are actively seeking to hire entry-level plumbers, providing viable opportunities for new grads. Established organizations such as the UA Local offer apprenticeship programs that integrate formal training with hands-on experience, recruiting candidates through an application and aptitude testing process. Additionally, non-union contractors often prefer employing apprentices ready to learn on the job, while large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS focus on finding licensed journeymen who work on a commission basis. Graduating students can enhance their starting pay in Texas by pursuing credentials such as a journeyman plumbing license and additional certifications for specialized fields, including medical gas installation or backflow prevention. Although entry-level salaries may begin at $37,410, those delivering exceptional service in high-demand areas like medical gas can earn significantly more over time, as aging infrastructure and a shrinking workforce boost job security and salary potential in the plumbing industry.
More salary data for Wichita Falls, TX:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Entry-level salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The 10th percentile (entry-level) is used as the starting salary benchmark for new plumbing graduates. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 entry-level compensation in Wichita Falls. Program costs are averages and actual tuition varies by institution. ROI calculations are simplified estimates.
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