Plumber Hourly Pay in Milwaukee, WI: $41.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Milwaukee, WI runs $41.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $86,834 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Milwaukee's regional price level (BEA RPP 96.9, 3% below national), each hour of work buys what $43.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $52,099 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
Milwaukee's 2026 plumber hourly pay is projected to be $41.75, significantly higher than the national median of $31.45. This impressive rate reflects the city’s growing demand for plumbing services across various industries, including residential, commercial, and industrial sectors. Part-time plumbers working three days a week can expect to earn a substantial wage, with trips to customer homes, commercial construction sites, and manufacturing facilities contributing to their earnings. Entry-level plumbers can expect to start at around $27.86 per hour, while experienced professionals and top earners can command rates up to $61.35 per hour, underscoring the potential for growth in this field. This data comes from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) based on 2025 metrics projected to 2026, highlighting Milwaukee’s competitive labor market within the plumbing trade.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $27.86 | $222.92 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.74 | $245.88 |
| Median (P50) | $41.75 | $333.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $53.23 | $425.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.35 | $490.78 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Milwaukee
Based on $41.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $41.75/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Milwaukee, WI can expect to earn approximately $86,832 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $50,095. With a cost-of-living index of 96.94 (below the national average), these earnings stretch further in Milwaukee.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Milwaukee
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,669.85 | $7,236 | $86,832 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $1,001.91 | $4,342 | $52,099 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $667.94 | $2,894 | $34,733 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Milwaukee) | $41.75 |
| 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 Milwaukee, WI earn a median of $86,834 per year (2026 est.), which is 32.76% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.50% below the Wisconsin state average of $87,271.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $41.75/hr = $52,099/year (purchasing power: $53,745).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $86,832/year (purchasing power: $89,576).
CoL index: 96.937 (100 = national average). Your dollars stretch further here.
2019 BLS Actual
$37.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$40.72/hr
2026 Current Est.
$41.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+15.4%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Milwaukee (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $37.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $34.82/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $36.68/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $35.31/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $38.23/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $39.46/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $40.72/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $41.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $42.80/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Milwaukee grew 9.8% from $37.08/hr (2019) to $40.72/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $42.80/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 Milwaukee 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 Milwaukee
Analyzing part-time earnings, a plumber working a 24-hour week can take home around $54,865 annually, which is considerable when compared to full-time counterparts without the flexibility of a traditional schedule. For those involved in per diem plumbing work around Milwaukee, particularly in industrial settings, daily rates often fall between $100 and $175 in addition to base hourly pay ranging from $40 to $65. Service call fees for plumbers also start at $150 to $300, making it lucrative for those who freelance or operate their own businesses. Hourly rates can differ based on the type of employer; union contractors like those affiliated with the United Association typically offer a 30-50% premium over non-union wage rates. Those seeking higher wages may find trade-offs, such as giving up benefits, crucial in negotiating pay. For prospective apprentices or licensed plumbers, understanding local salary trends and benefits in Milwaukee can empower more effective negotiations, especially in a city where the need for skilled plumbing professionals continues to rise.
More salary data for Milwaukee, WI:
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 Milwaukee. 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