Plumber Salary in Gardner, KS: $55,135 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Gardner, KS earns a median $55,135/year (≈ $26.51/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Gardner's price level (9% below national, BEA RPP 90.9), that paycheck buys what $60,655 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.3% below the Kansas state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the projected median salary for plumbers in Gardner, Kansas, is set at $55,135, significantly lower than the national median of $65,408. The local salary range for this occupation spans from $41,885 at the 10th percentile to $85,460 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the income disparities evident in this market. Estimates derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, indicate that the union pipefitters tend to command higher wages due to their specialized skills and the advantages of union contracts. This creates a notable pay gap compared to non-union service plumbers, with the latter comprising a substantial portion of the workforce in Gardner. With only six plumbers currently employed in the area, this suggests a competitive job market where experienced and credentialed professionals have an edge.
About the Gardner Market
Salary estimated from Kansas average ($56,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $41,885 | $20.13 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $45,252 | $21.75 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $55,135 | $26.51 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $70,573 | $33.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $85,460 | $41.09 |
Median Salary Position
15.71% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Gardner
In Gardner, KS, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $43,575 (2026 est.). At $55,135, the local median is 15.71% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Gardner: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Gardner Plumber Pay Compares
Gardner median: $55,135/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Gardner Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kansas Average | $59,477 | -7.30% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -15.71% less |
Plumbers in Gardner, KS earn a median of $55,135 per year (2026 est.), which is 15.71% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 7.30% below the Kansas state average of $59,477.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Gardner has a cost of living 9.10% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Gardner, KS has a cost-of-living index of 90.9 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $55,135 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $60,655 in an average-cost city — an effective 10.01% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$46,497
2025 BLS Actual
$53,780
2026 Current Est.
$55,135
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Gardner (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $46,497 | Actual |
| 2020 | $47,483 | Actual |
| 2021 | $50,476 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,653 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,883 | Actual |
| 2024 | $47,205 | Actual |
| 2025 | $53,780 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $55,135 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $56,525 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Gardner metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $46,497 (2019) to $53,780 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $56,525 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,028 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Gardner 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) | $41,885 – $45,252 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $45,252 – $55,135 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $55,135 – $70,573 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $70,573 – $85,460 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Gardner
The economic landscape for plumbers in Gardner reflects a cost of living index of 90.9, indicating reduced local purchasing power compared to national averages. While union positions often pay a premium, specialized skills such as medical gas installation can substantially elevate earnings, positioning skilled plumbers to capitalize on the sector’s needs. Employers range from union contractors who pay competitively to non-union service firms like Roto-Rooter and ARS, where earnings can fluctuate based on commission structures. The disparity in pay stems largely from the differences in work types, with high-demand specialties like medical gas and backflow prevention offering lucrative opportunities. To maximize plumber pay in Gardner, pursuing additional certifications, such as a master license or focusing on high-demand specialties, could prove advantageous in this evolving job environment.
More salary data for Gardner, KS:
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
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 $53,780 for plumbersin the Gardner 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 Gardner 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