Plumber Salary in Marion, IA: $63,519 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Marion, IA earns a median $63,519/year (≈ $30.54/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Marion's price level (10% below national, BEA RPP 90.4), that paycheck buys what $70,264 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.7% below the Iowa state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Marion, Iowa, the projected median annual salary for plumbers is $63,519 in 2026, reflecting a competitive offering in comparison to the national average, which stands at $65,408. This figure represents a salary range that goes from $44,305 at the 10th percentile to $98,455 at the 90th percentile. Such local salary estimates are influenced by state-level data from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS), alongside adjustments for regional cost variances. This economic environment creates a unique landscape for plumbers, especially when considering the choice between self-employment and working for established service companies. For those in Marion, successful earnings can come from both avenues, yet job market dynamics and personal career strategies play critical roles.
About the Marion Market
Salary estimated from Iowa average ($62,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,305 | $21.30 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,556 | $23.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,519 | $30.54 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,305 | $39.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,455 | $47.33 |
Median Salary Position
2.89% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Marion
In Marion, IA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,150 (2026 est.). At $63,519, the local median is 2.89% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Marion: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Marion Plumber Pay Compares
Marion median: $63,519/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Marion Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Iowa Average | $64,618 | -1.70% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -2.89% less |
Plumbers in Marion, IA earn a median of $63,519 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.89% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.70% below the Iowa state average of $64,618.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Marion has a cost of living 9.60% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Marion, IA has a cost-of-living index of 90.4 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $63,519 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,264 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.62% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,567
2025 BLS Actual
$61,958
2026 Current Est.
$63,519
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Marion (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,567 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,704 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,151 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,355 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,773 | Actual |
| 2024 | $55,112 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,958 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,519 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,120 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Marion metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $53,567 (2019) to $61,958 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,120 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,553 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Marion 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) | $44,305 – $49,556 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,556 – $63,519 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,519 – $81,305 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,305 – $98,455 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Marion
The plumbing job market in Marion sees a modest pool of talent, with only six employed plumbers reported in the area. This scarcity, combined with a cost-of-living index sitting at 90.4, means that take-home pay can significantly affect purchasing power. Among the local employers, union plumbing contractors, particularly those affiliated with the United Association (UA), typically offer the most competitive salaries, largely due to the premium pay associated with union roles compared to non-union counterparts. In this market, specialization—like medical gas installation or backflow prevention—can lead to higher remuneration as can achieving master or contractor licensing. However, earning potential can vary widely based on commission structures at service companies or additional overtime opportunities. For plumbers looking to maximize pay in Marion, developing specialized skills and considering union membership may provide the most lucrative pathways.
More salary data for Marion, IA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Career Resources
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 $61,958 for plumbersin the Marion 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
Salary data for Marion 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