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Plumber salary in North Carolina
The middle half of plumbers in North Carolina earned $22.38 to $30.43 an hour in May 2025, and the top tenth $36.47 or more.1 The median is 11% below the US median.2
- 10th
- $18.69
- 25th
- $22.38
- Median
- $27.44
- 75th
- $30.43
- 90th
- $36.47
- 10th
- $38,860
- 25th
- $46,550
- Median
- $57,080
- 75th
- $63,290
- 90th
- $75,850
Which North Carolina cities pay plumbers the most?
Raleigh-Cary has the highest median of the 10 metro areas below, $29.10 an hour; Winston-Salem has the lowest, $23.67.1
- Raleigh–Cary$29.10
- Durham–Chapel Hill$28.90
- Asheville$28.46
- Charlotte–Concord$28.22
- Greensboro–High Point$27.65
- Wilmington$27.11
- Jacksonville$25.59
- Fayetteville$24.87
The 10 largest of 15 metro areas with plumber data, by employment.
Do plumbers make $100,000 a year in North Carolina?
Fewer than 10% do. The 90th percentile is $75,850 a year, so only the top tenth earns more than that.1
How much do new plumbers make in North Carolina?
The lowest-paid tenth of plumbers in North Carolina earned $18.69 an hour or less ($38,860 a year), and the lowest quarter earned $22.38 or less.1 OEWS does not report apprentice pay separately.
Are plumbers in demand in North Carolina?
Projections Central expects North Carolina to go from 15,620 plumber jobs in 2024 to 16,500 in 2034, a change of 5.6%, with about 1,390 openings a year.3 The US projection is 4.5%.
| Area | Jobs 2024 | Jobs 2034 | Change | Openings a year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| North Carolina | 15,620 | 16,500 | 5.6% | 1,390 |
| United States | 504,500 | 527,200 | 4.5% | 44,000 |
How does plumber pay compare with other trades in North Carolina?
Plumbers rank third of the five trades on this site by median pay in North Carolina. General contractors have the highest median, $36.19 an hour.1
| Trade | Median hourly | Median annual | Jobs |
|---|---|---|---|
| General Contractors | $36.19 | $75,270 | 32,460 |
| HVAC Technicians | $27.53 | $57,260 | 15,230 |
| Plumbers | $27.44 | $57,080 | 14,510 |
| Electricians | $27.31 | $56,800 | 21,640 |
| Roofers | $23.56 | $49,010 | 3,060 |
Where to train in North Carolina
Sources
- BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, North Carolina, May 2025 (bls.gov, May 2025)
- BLS OEWS national estimates: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (47-2152), May 2025 (bls.gov, May 2025)
- Projections Central, long-term occupational projections 2024-2034 (projectionscentral.org, 2024-2034)