Plumber Salary in Tucson, AZ: $60,559 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Tucson, AZ earns a median $60,559/year (≈ $29.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Tucson's price level (3% below national, BEA RPP 96.9), that paycheck buys what $62,499 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% above the Arizona state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Tucson are projected to earn a median annual salary of $60,559, significantly below the national median of $65,408 for the same year. The salary range varies widely, with entry-level positions earning approximately $44,945, while experienced plumbers can make up to $76,121. This data, derived from 2025 BLS OEWS surveys, reflects the broader economic dynamics of the plumbing industry in Tucson, where self-employed contractors often face different financial landscapes compared to those who are employed by service companies. The competition between union and non-union shops drives wage disparities, impacting overall compensation and job availability in the area as the market evolves.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,945 | $21.61 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,779 | $23.46 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,559 | $29.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $66,207 | $31.83 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,121 | $36.60 |
Median Salary Position
7.41% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tucson
In Tucson, AZ, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $31,176 (2026 est.). At $60,559, the local median is 7.41% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tucson: You'd be above the median
How Tucson Plumber Pay Compares
Tucson median: $60,559/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tucson Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Arizona Average | $60,138 | +0.70% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | -7.41% less |
Plumbers in Tucson, AZ earn a median of $60,559 per year (2026 est.), which is 7.41% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.70% above the Arizona state average of $60,138.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tucson has a cost of living 3.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tucson, AZ has a cost-of-living index of 96.896 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $60,559 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,499 in an average-cost city — an effective 3.2% boost.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$45,780
2025 BLS Actual
$59,070
2026 Current Est.
$60,559
2019–2027 Growth
+35.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Tucson (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $45,780 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,800 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,610 | Actual |
| 2022 | $48,630 | Actual |
| 2023 | $49,600 | Actual |
| 2024 | $58,210 | Actual |
| 2025 | $59,070 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,559 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $62,085 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tucson metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 29.0% from $45,780 (2019) to $59,070 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $62,085 by 2027 — a total increase of $16,305 (35.62%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tucson 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $44,945 – $48,779 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,779 – $60,559 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,559 – $66,207 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $66,207 – $76,121 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Tucson
The local job market currently employs around 1,170 plumbers, indicating a stable demand for skilled labor in Tucson. With a cost-of-living index of 96.896, which is below the national average, take-home purchasing power can be favorable for workers in this trade. Top salaries are typically found among union plumbing contractors affiliated with the UA, where wages can be significantly higher due to standard labor agreements and specialty skills like medical gas or backflow prevention. The variation in pay is heavily influenced by the type of work, with industrial and commercial roles often yielding higher compensation compared to residential service positions. For those seeking to maximize their plumber pay in Tucson, obtaining specialized credentials and considering opportunities within union environments or large service companies can be crucial strategies for enhancing earning potential in this competitive market.
More salary data for Tucson, AZ:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Tucson, AZ in 2026?
Is Tucson, AZ a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Tucson?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Tucson?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Tucson?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in Arizona
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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $59,070 for plumbersin the Tucson metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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