Plumber Hourly Pay in Fuquay-Varina, NC: $27.32 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Fuquay-Varina, NC runs $27.32 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,820 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Fuquay-Varina's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.19 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $34,097 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Fuquay-Varina, North Carolina, the plumber hourly pay averages around $27.32, which is noticeably lower than the national hourly median of $31.45. This wage provides a solid foundation for both full-time and part-time employment, especially for those working three days a week or picking up per-diem gigs. In commercial settings, plumbing careers can span various environments, including residential service calls and industrial construction sites. These settings often dictate the pay spectrum, where beginning plumbers can expect an hourly rate starting at approximately $19.06, while experienced professionals may earn up to $42.34. The range reflects a typical career trajectory in which hourly wages gradually increase with skills, certifications, and experience. It’s also influenced by the demands of specific assignments, such as residential repairs or specialized medical gas installations.
About the Fuquay-Varina Market
Salary estimated from North Carolina average ($55,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $19.06 | $152.47 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $22.35 | $178.79 |
| Median (P50) | $27.32 | $218.57 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $34.97 | $279.76 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $42.34 | $338.73 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fuquay-Varina
Based on $27.32/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.32/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fuquay-Varina, NC can expect to earn approximately $56,829 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,786. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Fuquay-Varina.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fuquay-Varina
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,092.86 | $4,736 | $56,829 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $655.72 | $2,841 | $34,097 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $437.15 | $1,894 | $22,732 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Fuquay-Varina) | $27.32 |
| 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 Fuquay-Varina, NC earn a median of $56,820 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.13% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.70% below the North Carolina state average of $57,802.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.32/hr = $34,097/year (purchasing power: $36,429).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,829/year (purchasing power: $60,715).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.04/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.65/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.32/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Fuquay-Varina (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.04/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.53/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.01/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.33/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.65/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.32/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.01/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Fuquay-Varina grew 15.7% from $23.04/hr (2019) to $26.65/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.01/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 Fuquay-Varina 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 Fuquay-Varina
Exploring the part-time potential reveals that a plumber working 24 hours a week can bring home around $33,801 annually, a significant contrast to full-time counterparts earning about $56,820. For those in project-based or per-diem roles, like travel pipefitters or steamfitters, the compensation structure can vary significantly. It is common for these professionals to receive an additional $100-$175 per day in per diem while earning base rates of $40-$65 hourly, depending on job location and difficulty. The choice of employer heavily influences hourly rates in Fuquay-Varina; union plumbers often enjoy 30-50% higher wages compared to non-union counterparts. With the increase in demand due to aging infrastructure and a diminishing workforce, plumbers must weigh the benefits of higher wages against job security and health insurance options. Negotiating hourly pay can be complex; emphasizing specialty skills, such as medical gas certification or extensive experience in commercial settings, can enhance a plumber's leverage in discussions with potential employers.
More salary data for Fuquay-Varina, NC:
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 Fuquay-Varina. 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 Fuquay-Varina 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