Plumber Hourly Pay in Kannapolis, NC: $28.05 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Kannapolis, NC runs $28.05 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $58,339 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Kannapolis's regional price level (BEA RPP 93.6, 6% below national), each hour of work buys what $29.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $35,006 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Kannapolis, North Carolina, the plumber hourly pay is projected to hit a median of $28.05 in 2026, which falls below the national median of $31.45 per hour. This distinction places local plumbers in a unique position, especially those considering part-time or per-diem opportunities. For instance, a part-time plumber working three days a week could earn approximately $1,698 monthly, assuming they work 24 hours—substantially less than a full-time plumber. The hourly pay range for Kannapolis plumbers spans from $19.25 at the entry level to $43.48 for top earners. Typical job settings include residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and specialized roles in industrial plants, suggesting that both self-employed contractors and agency workers can find diverse earning potential through varying work arrangements.
About the Kannapolis 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) | $19.25 | $154.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $21.74 | $173.96 |
| Median (P50) | $28.05 | $224.40 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $35.90 | $287.22 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $43.48 | $347.83 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Kannapolis
Based on $28.05/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $28.05/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Kannapolis, NC can expect to earn approximately $58,343 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $33,659. With a cost-of-living index of 93.60 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Kannapolis.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Kannapolis
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,121.98 | $4,862 | $58,343 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $673.19 | $2,917 | $35,006 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $448.79 | $1,945 | $23,337 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Kannapolis) | $28.05 |
| 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 Kannapolis, NC earn a median of $58,339 per year (2026 est.), which is 10.81% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.90% above the North Carolina state average of $57,819.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $28.05/hr = $35,006/year (purchasing power: $37,399).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $58,343/year (purchasing power: $62,332).
CoL index: 93.6 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$23.65/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$27.36/hr
2026 Current Est.
$28.05/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Kannapolis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.65/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.16/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $25.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $25.77/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $26.40/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $24.98/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $27.36/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $28.05/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $28.76/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Kannapolis grew 15.7% from $23.65/hr (2019) to $27.36/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $28.76/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 Kannapolis 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 Kannapolis
Examining the nuances of plumber pay in Kannapolis, it's clear that part-time workers often face challenges in maximizing their annual earnings. For a plumber working 24 hours a week, the annual income might reach just over $20,000, starkly contrasting with the potential of a full-time plumber at 40 hours per week. Furthermore, per diem plumber pay in Kannapolis can be enticing, especially for those traveling for industrial projects, with daily rates ranging from $100 to $175 on top of base wages. Hourly rates vary significantly depending on employment type; union plumbers enjoy premiums of 30-50% over their non-union counterparts. While some plumbers opt for higher hourly rates without benefits, others may choose lower rates for health insurance coverage. As negotiations unfold, it’s valuable for plumbers in Kannapolis to emphasize their specialized skills, particularly in high-demand areas such as medical gas and backflow prevention, guaranteeing competitive compensation in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Kannapolis, NC:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Kannapolis in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Kannapolis?
Are plumbers in Kannapolis paid hourly or salary?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in North Carolina
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 Kannapolis. 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 Kannapolis 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