Plumber Hourly Pay in Kearney, NE: $27.71 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Kearney, NE runs $27.71 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $57,633 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Kearney's regional price level (BEA RPP 91.5, 8% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.29 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,584 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Plumbers in Kearney, Nebraska, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $27.71 in 2026, which reflects a lower pay scale when compared to the national median of $31.45 per hour. This hourly pay can enable part-time workers, for instance, those operating three days a week, to still earn a meaningful income while maintaining a flexible schedule. In practical terms, plumbers operating in various environments—whether on commercial construction sites, responding to residential service calls, or working in hospital mechanical rooms—will find themselves within a range of $20.57 for entry-level positions up to $42.95 for experienced top earners. These figures provide a solid benchmark for hourly wages, which have been calculated from estimated annual salaries and reflect the demand for plumbing services across Kearney's diverse sectors.
About the Kearney Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.57 | $164.52 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.60 | $180.76 |
| Median (P50) | $27.71 | $221.69 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.46 | $283.69 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.95 | $343.57 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kearney
Based on $27.71/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.71/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kearney, NE can expect to earn approximately $57,639 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,253. With a cost-of-living index of 91.50 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kearney.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kearney
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,108.45 | $4,803 | $57,639 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $665.07 | $2,882 | $34,584 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $443.38 | $1,921 | $23,056 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Kearney) | $27.71 |
| 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 Kearney, NE earn a median of $57,633 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.89% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 3.70% below the Nebraska state average of $59,847.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.71/hr = $34,584/year (purchasing power: $37,796).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $57,639/year (purchasing power: $62,994).
CoL index: 91.5 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.37/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.03/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.71/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Kearney (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.37/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.87/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.37/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.46/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.57/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.03/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.71/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.41/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Kearney grew 15.7% from $23.37/hr (2019) to $27.03/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.41/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 Kearney 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 Kearney
Part-time plumbers earning that hourly rate can potentially bring home a reliable income, illustrating an interesting contrast to full-time positions. For example, a worker putting in 24 hours a week at this hourly wage would see an annual take-home rate significantly lower than a full-time plumber's income, emphasizing the trade-offs involved in part-time work. For those considering per-diem or agency positions, the opportunities expand as travel pipefitters and steamfitters can command higher daily rates, often between $100 and $175 per day in addition to base pay that can reach $40 to $65 per hour. The variations in hourly wages across different employer types in Kearney, whether with union contractors offering premiums, self-employed contractors maximizing their rates, or large service companies like Roto-Rooter operating in volume, illustrate the dynamic nature of plumber hourly pay in Kearney. Furthermore, some plumbers are willing to accept lower hourly rates when those jobs come with health benefits, leading to a strategic decision-making process about income versus job security. Negotiating effectively can make a significant difference—understanding the local market dynamics allows hourly workers to advocate for better pay based on their qualifications and experience, especially within specialized sectors of the plumbing field.
More salary data for Kearney, NE:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Kearney in 2026?
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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 Kearney. 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 Kearney 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