Plumber Salary in Lafayette, LA: $59,390 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Lafayette, LA earns a median $59,390/year (≈ $28.55/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Lafayette's price level (13% below national, BEA RPP 87.2), that paycheck buys what $68,101 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.7% below the Louisiana state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Lafayette, Louisiana, the plumber salary is influenced significantly by whether one is part of a union or operates independently. The projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is $59,390, which sits notably below the national average of $65,408, highlighting a 9.20% difference. Within Lafayette's market, salaries span from $36,784 at the low end, up to $76,675 among the most experienced plumbers. This data, sourced from official BLS OEWS surveys, indicates a thriving sector of approximately 680 plumbers in the area. Importantly, the competitive dynamics between UA union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers establish a notable pay gap, with the former often earning a premium of 30-50% over their non-union counterparts, significantly shaping the local job market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $36,784 | $17.68 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,339 | $22.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $59,390 | $28.55 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $67,448 | $32.43 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $76,675 | $36.87 |
Median Salary Position
9.2% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Lafayette
In Lafayette, LA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $39,891 (2026 est.). At $59,390, the local median is 9.2% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Lafayette: You'd be above the median
How Lafayette Plumber Pay Compares
Lafayette median: $59,390/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Lafayette Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Louisiana Average | $59,808 | -0.70% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -9.20% less |
Plumbers in Lafayette, LA earn a median of $59,390 per year (2026 est.), which is 9.20% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.70% below the Louisiana state average of $59,808.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Lafayette has a cost of living 12.79% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Lafayette, LA has a cost-of-living index of 87.209 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $59,390 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $68,101 in an average-cost city — an effective 14.67% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,820
2025 BLS Actual
$57,930
2026 Current Est.
$59,390
2019–2027 Growth
+24.7%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Lafayette (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,820 | Actual |
| 2020 | $51,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,320 | Actual |
| 2022 | $51,260 | Actual |
| 2023 | $51,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $56,160 | Actual |
| 2025 | $57,930 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $59,390 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $60,886 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Lafayette metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 18.7% from $48,820 (2019) to $57,930 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $60,886 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,066 (24.72%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Lafayette 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) | $36,784 – $46,339 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,339 – $59,390 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $59,390 – $67,448 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $67,448 – $76,675 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Lafayette
To navigate the financial landscape of plumbing in Lafayette, one must consider local living costs, currently indexed at 87.209, which is below the national average. This index suggests that despite lower salary levels, the purchasing power remains relatively stable for skilled tradesmen. Employers play a pivotal role in determining wages, with union plumbing contractors generally offering higher pay compared to non-union shops, while specialized roles such as medical gas installation can command top-tier salaries. Master licensed plumbers may find better income opportunities in self-employed ventures or government projects. The spread between lower and higher pay scales is driven by various factors, including specialty skill levels, commission structures at larger service companies, and overtime opportunities. For plumbers in Lafayette looking to maximize their compensation, pursuing additional certifications and collaborating with unions could prove beneficial in enhancing their earning potential.
More salary data for Lafayette, LA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Lafayette, LA in 2026?
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Can plumbers make $100K in Lafayette?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Lafayette?
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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 $57,930 for plumbersin the Lafayette 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