Plumber Salary · Updated May 2026

Plumber salary in North Carolina

The median plumber salary in North Carolina is $57,080 a year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 11% below the national median of $63,800. Most plumbers in North Carolina earn between $38,860 and $75,850, and the state ranks #44 of 51 for plumber pay.

Median

$57,080

Entry (10th)

$38,860

Top (90th)

$75,850

State rank

#44/51

Annual wages, BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), May 2025.

North Carolina vs. the national average

PercentileNorth CarolinaNational
10th percentile (entry)$38,860$44,150
Median (50th)$57,080$63,800
90th percentile (top)$75,850$108,420

For context, the highest-paying state for plumbers is District of Columbia ($101,020 median) and the lowest is Arkansas ($48,660).

Licensing & taxes for plumbers

Most states license plumbers at journeyman and master levels through documented experience hours and an exam. Reciprocity is limited — fewer states recognize out-of-state plumbing licenses than electrical ones — and a few states license only at the local level.

Whether you charge sales tax on your labor depends on the state and the type of job. Several states tax services by default, and many distinguish a real-property improvement (often not taxed to the customer) from a repair of tangible property (often taxed). This isn't tax advice — confirm with your state revenue department.

For the full state-by-state licensing, reciprocity, and sales-tax breakdown, see the plumber salary & licensing guide.

Plumber pay in North Carolina: FAQ

How much does a plumber make in North Carolina?
The median plumber salary in North Carolina is $57,080 per year (BLS OEWS, May 2025) — 11% below the national median of $63,800. Most plumbers in the state earn between $38,860 and $75,850.
What is the starting salary for plumbers in North Carolina?
Entry-level plumbers in North Carolina — the bottom 10% — earn around $38,860 a year. Pay rises with licensing, experience, and specialization.
What do the top plumbers earn in North Carolina?
The highest-paid 10% of plumbers in North Carolina make about $75,850 or more per year — typically licensed masters, specialists, or business owners.
Does North Carolina pay plumbers well?
North Carolina ranks #44 of 51 states and D.C. for plumber pay, making it one of the lower-paying states for the trade. Its median of $57,080 is 11% below the U.S. median of $63,800.

Other trades in North Carolina

Electrician salary in North Carolina $56,800 HVAC Technician salary in North Carolina $57,260 Carpenter salary in North Carolina $49,100 Roofer salary in North Carolina $49,010 Painter salary in North Carolina $44,110

Compare plumbers pay in every state

District of Columbia $101,020 Illinois $99,950 Oregon $97,050 Minnesota $94,410 Alaska $93,920 Massachusetts $93,880 Wisconsin $81,210 Washington $81,030 Michigan $80,190 Montana $79,960 New Jersey $78,240 Hawaii $78,060 New York $77,490 Connecticut $77,280 Rhode Island $76,470 Indiana $76,320 California $72,830 Pennsylvania $68,080 New Hampshire $66,810 Missouri $66,790 Maryland $65,400 Kansas $65,220 Delaware $64,720 Kentucky $64,160 Maine $64,000 Iowa $63,890 Louisiana $63,680 North Dakota $63,560 Ohio $63,330 Colorado $63,240 Wyoming $62,410 Vermont $62,170 Arizona $62,070 Utah $61,900 Nevada $61,610 New Mexico $61,440 Nebraska $60,970 Virginia $60,470 Texas $59,840 Alabama $58,670 Tennessee $58,600 Oklahoma $57,970 Georgia $57,200 West Virginia $56,980 Mississippi $55,480 South Carolina $53,940 Florida $52,910 Idaho $52,380 South Dakota $51,620 Arkansas $48,660

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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, BLS OEWS, May 2025, via the BLS public API (SOC 47-2152). Wages are annual and vary by experience, licensing, certification, and local demand. See all plumbers by state or trade salaries by state.