Plumber Salary in Scottsbluff, NE: $57,434 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Scottsbluff, NE earns a median $57,434/year (≈ $27.61/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Scottsbluff's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 91.5), that paycheck buys what $62,769 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 4.0% below the Nebraska state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
With a projected median annual salary of $57,434 in 2026, plumbers in Scottsbluff, Nebraska, experience compensation that reflects both local market conditions and regional economic factors. The salary range for plumbers varies significantly, with entry-level positions starting around $40,322, while some experienced workers could earn as much as $89,022. These figures are derived from estimates based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for local price differentials. In Scottsbluff, union pipefitters typically command higher wages compared to their non-union counterparts, as unionized positions align better with higher skill demands and specialty work, such as medical gas installation, which is becoming increasingly crucial given the aging infrastructure in healthcare facilities.
About the Scottsbluff Market
Salary estimated from Nebraska average ($58,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $40,322 | $19.39 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,288 | $23.21 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $57,434 | $27.61 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $73,479 | $35.33 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $89,022 | $42.80 |
Median Salary Position
12.19% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Scottsbluff
In Scottsbluff, NE, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $48,700 (2026 est.). At $57,434, the local median is 12.19% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Scottsbluff: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Scottsbluff Plumber Pay Compares
Scottsbluff median: $57,434/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Scottsbluff Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Nebraska Average | $59,827 | -4.00% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -12.19% less |
Plumbers in Scottsbluff, NE earn a median of $57,434 per year (2026 est.), which is 12.19% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 4.00% below the Nebraska state average of $59,827.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Scottsbluff has a cost of living 8.50% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Scottsbluff, NE has a cost-of-living index of 91.5 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $57,434 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $62,769 in an average-cost city — an effective 9.29% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,435
2025 BLS Actual
$56,022
2026 Current Est.
$57,434
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Scottsbluff (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,435 | Actual |
| 2020 | $49,463 | Actual |
| 2021 | $52,580 | Actual |
| 2022 | $52,764 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,046 | Actual |
| 2024 | $50,929 | Actual |
| 2025 | $56,022 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $57,434 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $58,881 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Scottsbluff metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $48,435 (2019) to $56,022 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $58,881 by 2027 — a total increase of $10,446 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Scottsbluff 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) | $40,322 – $48,288 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,288 – $57,434 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $57,434 – $73,479 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $73,479 – $89,022 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Scottsbluff
Despite a modest size in employment—only 4 plumbers currently working in the area—the job market remains stable, partly due to a cost of living index of 91.5, suggesting that wages stretch a bit further in Scottsbluff compared to the national average. Unionized employers generally pay the highest salaries, a significant factor in narrowing the wage gap between less specialized roles and high-demand niches. Organizations like UA and large service companies provide diverse avenues for income, with self-employed plumbers also holding potential high-margin benefits. To maximize earnings, plumbers should consider advancing their certifications and licenses, particularly those linked to high-demand fields like medical gas and backflow prevention. Establishing a strong client base or seeking work with larger contractors can further enhance earning potential in this localized market of Scottsbluff.
More salary data for Scottsbluff, NE:
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 $56,022 for plumbersin the Scottsbluff 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 Scottsbluff 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