Plumber Salary in Cincinnati, OH: $66,802 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Cincinnati, OH earns a median $66,802/year (≈ $32.12/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Cincinnati's price level (5% below national, BEA RPP 95.4), that paycheck buys what $70,045 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.5% above the Ohio state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Plumbers in Cincinnati, Ohio, can anticipate a median annual salary of $66,802 in 2026, which slightly surpasses the national median of $65,408 by 2.13%. The full salary range for plumbing professionals in the area is projected to be between $48,010 at the 10th percentile and $104,365 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, indicate a robust compensation structure in Cincinnati's plumbing market. A significant factor contributing to these earnings is the availability of specialty credentials, particularly in areas such as medical gas and industrial plumbing, which command higher premiums. As the local plumbing workforce continues to age and infrastructure demands grow, there remains a sustained need for qualified professionals, enhancing career stability in the Cincinnati market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,010 | $23.09 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,557 | $24.79 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,802 | $32.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $86,875 | $41.77 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $104,365 | $50.17 |
Median Salary Position
2.13% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Cincinnati
In Cincinnati, OH, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,355 (2026 est.). At $66,802, the local median is 2.13% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Cincinnati: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Cincinnati Plumber Pay Compares
Cincinnati median: $66,802/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Cincinnati Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Ohio Average | $64,543 | +3.50% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +2.13% more |
Plumbers in Cincinnati, OH earn a median of $66,802 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.13% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 3.50% above the Ohio state average of $64,543.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Cincinnati has a cost of living 4.63% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Cincinnati, OH has a cost-of-living index of 95.37 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $66,802 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $70,045 in an average-cost city — an effective 4.85% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,970
2025 BLS Actual
$65,160
2026 Current Est.
$66,802
2019–2027 Growth
+29.3%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Cincinnati (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,970 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,580 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,200 | Actual |
| 2022 | $64,290 | Actual |
| 2023 | $66,030 | Actual |
| 2024 | $62,400 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,160 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,802 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,485 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Cincinnati metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 23.0% from $52,970 (2019) to $65,160 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,485 by 2027 — a total increase of $15,515 (29.29%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Cincinnati 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) | $48,010 – $51,557 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,557 – $66,802 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,802 – $86,875 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $86,875 – $104,365 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Cincinnati
Cincinnati's plumbing industry employs approximately 3,640 plumbers, reflecting a healthy job market buoyed by steady demand across various sectors. The cost of living index in the city stands at 95.37, indicating a moderately priced environment that enhances purchasing power compared to more expensive regions. Among employers, union plumbing contractors often offer some of the highest pay rates, with UA signatories typically providing competitive wages that can exceed those of non-union counterparts. The pay gap is influenced by factors such as specialized skills, like medical gas installation, and the disparity between service work and construction projects. For plumbers looking to maximize their earnings in Cincinnati, obtaining advanced certifications, pursuing union membership, or targeting high-paying industrial maintenance roles can prove beneficial. Additionally, self-employed plumbers may find opportunities to significantly increase their pay through effective marketing and service expansion.
More salary data for Cincinnati, OH:
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 $65,160 for plumbersin the Cincinnati 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