Plumber Hourly Pay in Grand Forks, ND: $31.02 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Grand Forks, ND runs $31.02 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,526 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Grand Forks's regional price level (BEA RPP 86.7, 13% below national), each hour of work buys what $35.80 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,716 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Grand Forks, North Dakota, the projected median hourly pay for plumbers is set at $31.02, slightly below the national median of $31.45. This rate significantly impacts the earnings of part-time plumbers working three days a week, especially in environments like commercial construction sites or residential service calls, where they find themselves attending to essential plumbing tasks. With an hourly range spanning from $22.60 for entry-level positions to an impressive $41.32 for experienced professionals, there are opportunities for plumbers to diversify their work between residential, industrial, and service sectors. The BLS data provides a foundation for understanding this competitive pay range as plumbers in this city navigate their careers in various settings, including hospitals, manufacturing plants, and as self-employed contractors.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.60 | $180.76 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.24 | $193.89 |
| Median (P50) | $31.02 | $248.18 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $37.88 | $303.05 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $41.32 | $330.52 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Grand Forks
Based on $31.02/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.02/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Grand Forks, ND can expect to earn approximately $64,527 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,227. With a cost-of-living index of 86.66 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Grand Forks.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Grand Forks
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,240.90 | $5,377 | $64,527 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.54 | $3,226 | $38,716 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.36 | $2,151 | $25,811 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Grand Forks) | $31.02 |
| 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 Grand Forks, ND earn a median of $64,526 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.35% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.20% above the North Dakota state average of $60,192.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.02/hr = $38,716/year (purchasing power: $44,674).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,527/year (purchasing power: $74,457).
CoL index: 86.663 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$28.75/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.26/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.02/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+10.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Grand Forks (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $30.01/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.09/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $27.13/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.67/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.26/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.02/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Grand Forks grew 5.3% from $28.75/hr (2019) to $30.26/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.80/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 Grand Forks 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 Grand Forks
Examining the financial potential for part-time plumbers in Grand Forks reveals an interesting dynamic. A plumber working 24 hours per week could expect to bring home around $38,591 annually, a notable difference compared to their full-time counterparts who earn significantly more. Plumbers working on a per-diem basis, particularly in out-of-town industrial projects, can earn between $100 to $175 daily, alongside hourly rates ranging from $40 to $65, which bolsters their income. This is especially true for self-employed plumbers who, depending on market conditions, can command effective rates of $100 to $180 per hour. It's important to consider how wages fluctuate across different employers — union positions affiliated with the UA may offer 30-50% higher pay compared to non-union service roles, whereas large service companies might pay commission-based wages that have the potential for high earnings but can be unpredictable. For plumbers negotiating their hourly rates, emphasizing specialized skills such as medical gas certification or backflow prevention can be beneficial, especially in a market facing an aging workforce and increasing demand for plumbing services in Grand Forks, ND.
More salary data for Grand Forks, ND:
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 Grand Forks. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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