Plumber Hourly Pay in Cleveland, TN: $27.18 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Cleveland, TN runs $27.18 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $56,519 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Cleveland's regional price level (BEA RPP 88.1, 12% below national), each hour of work buys what $30.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $33,918 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

In Cleveland, TN, the projected plumber hourly pay for 2026 is set at $27.18, which falls below the national median of $31.45 per hour. This pay rate is reflective of a diverse range of opportunities available in the field, catering to both full-time and part-time workers. For those working part-time, typically around three days a week, this equates to significant flexibility and opportunity for those seeking to balance work with other commitments. Entry-level plumbers can expect to start around $18.16 per hour, while seasoned professionals can earn as much as $36.23 per hour in various settings, including residential service calls and industrial applications. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data highlights the vibrant job market for plumbers in Cleveland's residential and commercial sectors, where contractors often employ plumbers on a per-diem basis for specific projects.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $18.16 | $145.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $23.19 | $185.52 |
| Median (P50) | $27.18 | $217.42 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $31.57 | $252.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $36.23 | $289.84 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Cleveland
Based on $27.18/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $27.18/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Cleveland, TN can expect to earn approximately $56,530 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $32,614. With a cost-of-living index of 88.08 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Cleveland.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Cleveland
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,087.12 | $4,711 | $56,530 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $652.27 | $2,827 | $33,918 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $434.85 | $1,884 | $22,612 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Cleveland) | $27.18 |
| 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 Cleveland, TN earn a median of $56,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.59% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 6.10% below the Tennessee state average of $60,191.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $27.18/hr = $33,918/year (purchasing power: $38,508).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $56,530/year (purchasing power: $64,181).
CoL index: 88.08 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$22.92/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$26.51/hr
2026 Current Est.
$27.18/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Cleveland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $22.92/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $23.41/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $22.48/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $21.41/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.77/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.44/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $26.51/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $27.18/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $27.86/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Cleveland grew 15.7% from $22.92/hr (2019) to $26.51/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $27.86/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 Cleveland 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 Cleveland
Exploring the part-time earning potential in Cleveland reveals how a plumber working 24 hours a week can still bring in a respectable income. Over the course of a year, a plumber in this arrangement may gross around $33,835, providing a solid living, especially when paired with flexible hours. Plumbers who take on per-diem roles often find themselves on out-of-town industrial projects, earning between $100 to $175 daily as supplemental income on top of their base wage of $40-$65 per hour. Various job sectors influence hourly rates in Cleveland; for instance, unionized plumbers affiliated with the UA may see a premium of 30% or more over their non-union counterparts, particularly in specialized areas like medical gas installations. With the rising demand for skilled labor due to an aging workforce, plumbers need to refine their negotiation skills. Understanding the balance between hourly rates and benefits is crucial, as some may accept lower pay for health insurance or other perks when working for larger service companies or municipal utilities.
More salary data for Cleveland, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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.
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 Cleveland. 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, 5-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