Plumber Hourly Pay in Ruston, LA: $27.65 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Ruston, LA runs $27.65 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,515 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Ruston's regional price level (BEA RPP 90.3, 10% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.62 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,507 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Ruston, Louisiana, the plumber hourly pay is projected to be $27.65 in 2026, which falls significantly below the national median of $31.45 per hour. This hourly rate provides a solid income for plumbers, particularly those working part-time, such as individuals taking on three-day workweeks. For these part-time workers, totaling around 24 hours weekly, this translates to an annual income that allows for a fair standard of living in a community with a cost of living index of 90.3. Entry-level plumbers may start at approximately $20.37 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn up to $42.86 hourly, reflecting the range from beginner to expert in this essential trade. Typical settings include residential service calls, industrial construction sites, and specialized medical gas installations, where the hourly pay can vary based on the complexity and urgency of the work.
About the Ruston Market
Salary estimated from Louisiana average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.37 | $162.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.24 | $177.89 |
| Median (P50) | $27.65 | $221.20 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.39 | $283.12 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.86 | $342.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Ruston
Based on $27.65/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.65/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Ruston, LA can expect to earn approximately $57,511 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,180. With a cost-of-living index of 90.30 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Ruston.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Ruston
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,105.99 | $4,793 | $57,511 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $663.59 | $2,876 | $34,507 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $442.39 | $1,917 | $23,005 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Ruston) | $27.65 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Ruston, LA earn a median of $57,515 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.07% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 3.80% below the Louisiana state average of $59,787.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.65/hr = $34,507/year (purchasing power: $38,213).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,511/year (purchasing power: $63,689).
CoL index: 90.3 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.32/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.65/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Ruston (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.32/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.81/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.31/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.40/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.02/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $22.96/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.65/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.35/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Ruston grew 15.7% from $23.32/hr (2019) to $26.97/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.35/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ruston 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.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Ruston
Part-time plumbers in Ruston may find their annual earnings differ markedly from full-time colleagues, particularly when engaging in per-diem roles, often common in the field. Working just three days a week could result in an income far less than what a full-time professional would make, leading some to seek per diem plumber pay. In many cases, traveling pipefitters receive substantial reimbursement on top of their base hourly rates, which may range between $40 to $65. When factoring in agency roles or self-employed positions, effective hourly wages can rise considerably, with successful independent plumbers in high-cost areas charging $100 to $180 per hour. However, this higher pay often comes without benefits, contrasting with unionized contractors who may accept lower hourly rates in exchange for health benefits and job security. In Ruston, plumbing professionals must weigh the trade-offs between hourly wage and job benefits carefully, especially when negotiating compensation for specific roles.
More salary data for Ruston, LA:
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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Ruston. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Ruston is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
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