Plumber Salary in Appleton, WI: $94,062 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Appleton, WI earns a median $94,062/year (≈ $45.22/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Appleton's price level (8% below national, BEA RPP 92.4), that paycheck buys what $101,778 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 7.7% above the Wisconsin state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Appleton, Wisconsin presents a favorable environment for plumbers, offering a median annual salary of $94,062. This figure is significantly higher than the national median of $65,408, showcasing a robust local job market for plumbing professionals. The salary range is quite varied, stretching from $54,243 at the 10th percentile to $122,901 at the 90th percentile. This data is derived from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, reflecting a strong demand for skilled trades. Union pipefitters, affiliated with the UA, tend to dominate the higher salary brackets in the area, benefitting from a premium that can reach 30-50% over non-union service plumbers. Given this disparity, aspiring plumbers should weigh the benefits of union membership in the competitive Appleton market.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $54,243 | $26.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $62,578 | $30.09 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $94,062 | $45.22 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $107,328 | $51.60 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $122,901 | $59.08 |
Median Salary Position
43.81% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Appleton
In Appleton, WI, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $68,658 (2026 est.). At $94,062, the local median is 43.81% above the national median of $65,408.
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At 40 hours/week in Appleton: You'd be above the median
How Appleton Plumber Pay Compares
Appleton median: $94,062/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Appleton Pays |
|---|---|---|
| Wisconsin Average | $87,337 | +7.70% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +43.81% more |
Plumbers in Appleton, WI earn a median of $94,062 per year (2026 est.), which is 43.81% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 7.70% above the Wisconsin state average of $87,337.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Appleton has a cost of living 7.58% below the national average, meaning your salary goes further here.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Appleton, WI has a cost-of-living index of 92.419 (below the national average of 100). A plumber earning $94,062 nominally has purchasing power equivalent to $101,778 in an average-cost city — an effective 8.2% boost.
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2019 BLS Actual
$67,890
2025 BLS Actual
$91,750
2026 Current Est.
$94,062
2019–2027 Growth
+42.0%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Appleton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $67,890 | Actual |
| 2020 | $70,070 | Actual |
| 2021 | $77,550 | Actual |
| 2022 | $78,160 | Actual |
| 2023 | $78,210 | Actual |
| 2024 | $85,890 | Actual |
| 2025 | $91,750 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $94,062 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $96,432 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Appleton metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 35.1% from $67,890 (2019) to $91,750 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $96,432 by 2027 — a total increase of $28,542 (42.04%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Appleton 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) | $54,243 – $62,578 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $62,578 – $94,062 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $94,062 – $107,328 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $107,328 – $122,901 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Appleton
The plumber job market in Appleton features approximately 890 individuals employed in this trade, indicating a healthy demand for plumbing services. With a cost-of-living index of 92.419, the region offers reasonable affordability, which enhances the purchasing power of local plumbers. Employers such as UA union contractors often provide the highest salaries, but non-union companies and large service providers like Roto-Rooter also contribute to the pay spectrum. Factors driving the income range include specialization in areas like medical gas, where additional credentials lead to premium wages, as well as the variance in commission structures among service companies. For plumbers looking to maximize their earnings, obtaining specialty licenses, considering union affiliation, and taking advantage of overtime opportunities can be effective strategies in the Appleton area.
More salary data for Appleton, WI:
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 $91,750 for plumbersin the Appleton 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