Plumber Salary in Memphis, TN: $60,169 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Memphis, TN earns a median $60,169/year (≈ $28.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Memphis's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.2), that paycheck buys what $65,274 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.0% above the Tennessee state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Plumbers in Memphis, Tennessee, can expect a median annual salary of $60,169 in 2026, reflecting a competitive position within the field. The salary range spans from $38,476 at the tenth percentile to $84,087 at the ninetieth percentile. These figures, derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, highlight the income potential available to those skilled in areas such as medical gas and underground utility work. Such specialties not only elevate pay opportunities but also create a robust demand for qualified plumbers. As Memphis continues to grow, the job market for plumbers remains steady, supported by an aging infrastructure and a workforce that increasingly requires expertise in specialized areas.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $38,476 | $18.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $48,656 | $23.40 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $60,169 | $28.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $77,280 | $37.15 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $84,087 | $40.42 |
Median Salary Position
8.01% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Memphis
In Memphis, TN, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $45,611 (2026 est.). At $60,169, the local median is 8.01% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Memphis: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Memphis Plumber Pay Compares
Memphis median: $60,169/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Memphis Pays |
|---|---|---|
| National Average | $65,408 | -8.01% less |
Plumbers in Memphis, TN earn a median of $60,169 per year (2026 est.), which is 8.01% lower than the national median of $65,408.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Memphis has a cost of living 7.82% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Memphis, TN has a cost-of-living index of 92.179 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $60,169 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $65,274 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.48% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,700
2025 BLS Actual
$58,690
2026 Current Est.
$60,169
2019–2027 Growth
+12.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Memphis (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,700 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $48,990 | Actual |
| 2022 | $50,440 | Actual |
| 2023 | $54,650 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,310 | Actual |
| 2025 | $58,690 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $60,169 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $61,685 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Memphis metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 7.3% from $54,700 (2019) to $58,690 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $61,685 by 2027 — a total increase of $6,985 (12.77%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Memphis 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) | $38,476 – $48,656 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $48,656 – $60,169 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $60,169 – $77,280 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $77,280 – $84,087 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Memphis
The local job market for plumbing in Memphis employs about 1,920 individuals, reflecting a significant presence of skilled tradespeople in the state. The cost of living index of 92.179 indicates that while salaries may be slightly lower than the national average, the purchasing power remains favorable for residents. Employers vary widely in pay, with union plumbing contractors often offering higher wages compared to non-union contractors due to established agreements and benefits. Specialty work such as medical gas installation commands a premium, while self-employed plumbers may have fluctuating income based on job volume. To maximize earnings, aspiring plumbers should consider obtaining specialized certifications and continuously seek opportunities for advanced training, which can lead to higher pay in diverse sectors, including industrial maintenance or service roles with companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS.
More salary data for Memphis, TN:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Memphis, TN in 2026?
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Can plumbers make $100K in Memphis?
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Related Pages
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Nearby Cities in Tennessee
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 $58,690 for plumbersin the Memphis 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