Plumber Salary

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.

$57,633
Median Annual Salary
$27.71/hr
Hourly Rate
$42,777
Entry Level (P10)
$89,331
Top Earners (P90)

Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

Plumber Hourly Rate in Kearney, NE — 2026 est., based on 2025 BLS
Kearney, NE plumber hourly rate overview (2026 est., based on 2025 BLS)

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

PercentileHourly RatePer 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.

Horizontal bars showing a plumber in Kearney earning $27.71/hr would make approximately $33,253 part-time (24 hr/wk) or $57,639 full-time (40 hr/wk).Part-Time (24 hr/wk)$33,253Reduced (32 hr/wk)$44,338Full-Time (40 hr/wk)$57,639

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.

Annual estimates assume 5052 working weeks per year. Actual earnings vary by employer, overtime, and benefits.

Hourly Rate Calculator

$221.69
per 8hr shift
$1,108.45
per week
$4,803
per month
$57,639
per year

Schedule Comparison in Kearney

ScheduleWeeklyMonthlyAnnual
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

RoleMedian 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
Horizontal bar chart comparing plumber median salary in Kearney ($57,633) with Nebraska average ($59,847) and the US national median ($65,408).Kearney$57,633Nebraska Avg$59,847-3.70%US National$65,408-11.89%

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 (20192027)

2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.

BLS Actual Estimated Projected
Hourly rate trajectory chart for plumbers in Kearney. Baseline $23.37/hr in 2025, projected to $28.41/hr by 2027.$22$24$26$28$292019202020212022202320242025202620272025 BLS$23.37$23.87$25.37$25.46$26.08$24.57$27.03$27.71$28.41
YearHourly RateStatus
2019$23.37/hrActual
2020$23.87/hrActual
2021$25.37/hrActual
2022$25.46/hrActual
2023$26.08/hrActual
2024$24.57/hrActual
2025$27.03/hrActual
2026(current)$27.71/hrEstimated
2027$28.41/hrProjected

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 (20192025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Kearney metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 20262026 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.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Kearney in 2026?

The estimated 2026 median hourly rate for plumbers in Kearney is $27.71/hour, based on estimated 2026 salary (projected from 2025 BLS data at 2.52% annual growth). Rates range from $20.57 at entry level (10th percentile) to $42.95 for experienced practitioners (90th percentile). This is 11.9% below the national average. Hourly pay varies based on practice type, patient volume, years of experience, and whether the position includes benefits.

How much do part-time plumbers make in Kearney?

A part-time plumber working 3 days per week (24 hours) in Kearney earns approximately $2,882/month, or $34,584/year at the median hourly rate of $27.71. Many plumbers prefer part-time schedules for work-life balance, and some work at multiple practices to maximize earnings. Part-time positions may not include benefits like health insurance or retirement contributions, but typically offer higher hourly rates to compensate.

Are plumbers in Kearney paid hourly or salary?

The majority of plumbers in Kearney are paid hourly at a median rate of $27.71/hour. Some full-time positions at larger practices or organizations offer salaried compensation around $57,639/year, often bundled with benefits including health insurance, paid time off, retirement plans, and continuing education allowances. Hourly pay gives flexibility, while salary positions provide income stability.

How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Kearney?

A full-time plumber working 40 hours per week (2,080 hours/year) in Kearney earns approximately $57,639/year at the median hourly rate of $27.71. This is 11.9% below the national median. Top earners working full-time can reach $89,327/year at the 90th percentile rate. Overtime and weekend shifts may further increase annual earnings.

Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in Kearney?

Part-time and per diem plumbers in Kearney sometimes command higher hourly rates — up to $42.95/hour — because practices need flexible coverage for specific days or peak hours. However, part-time positions typically do not include benefits like health insurance, paid time off, or retirement contributions. When factoring in the value of benefits, full-time salaried positions may offer comparable or better total compensation despite a slightly lower hourly rate.

Related Pages

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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

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).

View estimation methodology

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

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