Plumber Salary in Paducah, KY: $84,189 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Paducah, KY earns a median $84,189/year (≈ $40.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Paducah's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 86.1), that paycheck buys what $97,799 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 27.7% above the Kentucky state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the plumber salary in Paducah, KY, is projected to be $84,189, reflecting a notable increase over previous years and surpassing the national average of $65,408 by 28.71%. This market exhibits a salary range from $47,508 at the lower end (P10) to $97,784 at the higher end (P90), clearly illustrating the substantial earning potential available to skilled professionals. The figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, highlighting the competitive nature of plumber pay in Paducah. In this market, union pipefitters, particularly those associated with the UA (United Association), generally command premiums in salary compared to their non-union counterparts, underscoring the influence of affiliation on earnings within this local industry.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,508 | $22.84 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $58,303 | $28.03 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $84,189 | $40.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $93,785 | $45.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $97,784 | $47.02 |
Median Salary Position
28.71% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Paducah
In Paducah, KY, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $50,276 (2026 est.). At $84,189, the local median is 28.71% above the national median of $65,408.
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At 40 hours/week in Paducah: You'd be above the median
How Paducah Plumber Pay Compares
Paducah median: $84,189/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Paducah Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Kentucky Average | $65,928 | +27.70% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +28.71% more |
Plumbers in Paducah, KY earn a median of $84,189 per year (2026 est.), which is 28.71% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 27.70% above the Kentucky state average of $65,928.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Paducah has a cost of living 13.92% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Paducah, KY has a cost-of-living index of 86.084 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $84,189 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $97,799 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.17% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$70,999
2025 BLS Actual
$82,120
2026 Current Est.
$84,189
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Paducah (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $70,999 | Actual |
| 2020 | $72,505 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,074 | Actual |
| 2022 | $77,345 | Actual |
| 2023 | $79,224 | Actual |
| 2024 | $76,650 | Actual |
| 2025 | $82,120 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $84,189 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $86,311 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Paducah metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $70,999 (2019) to $82,120 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $86,311 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,312 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Paducah 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) | $47,508 – $58,303 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $58,303 – $84,189 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $84,189 – $93,785 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $93,785 – $97,784 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Paducah
Employment opportunities for plumbers in Paducah remain robust, with approximately 380 individuals employed in the field. The cost-of-living index for the city stands at 86.084, which is below the national average, facilitating potentially greater purchasing power for local plumbers when compared to other regions. Highest-paying positions often come from UA union plumbing contractors, which not only offer above-average salaries but also provide premium benefits. Conversely, non-union companies, residential service roles, and self-employed solo plumbers can see more variable incomes influenced by factors such as commission structures and project types. The distinction in pay reflects the growing demand for specialized skills, as the aging infrastructure and demographic shifts result in a need for experienced plumbers. For those aiming to maximize earnings within this market, gaining credentials in specialties like medical gas or backflow prevention, pursuing a master plumber license, and seeking union membership will be vital strategies for career advancement.
More salary data for Paducah, KY:
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 $82,120 for plumbersin the Paducah 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, 2-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