Plumber Salary in Joplin, MO: $65,992 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Joplin, MO earns a median $65,992/year (≈ $31.73/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Joplin's price level (14% below national, BEA RPP 85.7), that paycheck buys what $76,987 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.6% below the Missouri state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Joplin, Missouri, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is $65,992, reflecting a slight increase over the national median of $65,408. This local figure is supported by a salary range that spans from $43,274 at the lower percentile to as much as $104,201 for the top earners in the field. Insight from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) indicates that the local job market is influenced significantly by the presence of unionized pipefitters within the United Association (UA). Their wages typically command a premium, making them more competitive compared to non-union service plumbing roles, which further shapes the overall plumber pay in Joplin MO. The dynamics between union and non-union employment create notable variations in compensation, impacting both incoming apprentices and seasoned professionals in this market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,274 | $20.80 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $46,636 | $22.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,992 | $31.73 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,327 | $41.03 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,201 | $50.09 |
Median Salary Position
0.89% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Joplin
In Joplin, MO, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $60,927 (2026 est.). At $65,992, the local median is 0.89% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Joplin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Joplin Plumber Pay Compares
Joplin median: $65,992/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Joplin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Missouri Average | $66,390 | -0.60% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +0.89% more |
Plumbers in Joplin, MO earn a median of $65,992 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.89% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.60% below the Missouri state average of $66,390.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Joplin has a cost of living 14.28% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Joplin, MO has a cost-of-living index of 85.718 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $65,992 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $76,987 in an average-cost city — an effective 16.66% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,040
2025 BLS Actual
$64,370
2026 Current Est.
$65,992
2019–2027 Growth
+22.9%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Joplin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,040 | Actual |
| 2020 | $52,710 | Actual |
| 2021 | $47,840 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,960 | Actual |
| 2023 | $56,200 | Actual |
| 2024 | $60,970 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,370 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,992 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,655 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Joplin metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 17.0% from $55,040 (2019) to $64,370 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,655 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,615 (22.92%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Joplin 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) | $43,274 – $46,636 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $46,636 – $65,992 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,992 – $85,327 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,327 – $104,201 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Joplin
Looking deeper into the local job landscape, Joplin currently employs approximately 180 plumbers. The cost of living index stands at 85.718, suggesting that take-home pay affords a relatively comfortable living compared to national averages. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors provide the most lucrative opportunities, while self-employed plumbers and major service companies, like Roto-Rooter and ARS, present diverse pay structures that can yield significant income depending on commission-based work. Notably, the wide salary range reflects factors such as expertise in specialty areas like medical gas installation, licensing (including master and contractor credentials), and the varying demands of service versus industrial plumbing. For professionals seeking to maximize their income in Joplin, acquiring specialized skills, building a solid reputation, and ensuring proper licensing can lead to improved pay prospects in an evolving job market.
More salary data for Joplin, MO:
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 $64,370 for plumbersin the Joplin 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