Plumber Salary in Charlotte, NC: $61,034 (2024)
Official 2024 BLS Data | $29.34/hour | $40,533 - $91,243 range
Median Annual Salary
$61,034
Hourly Rate
$29.34
/hour
Jobs in Area
369
employed
Compare to Other Cities
See All →Charlotte, NC
$61,034
San Francisco, CA
$88,194
in San Francisco, CA
Plumber Salary Range in Charlotte, NC
Annual Salary Range
$41k
10th percentile
$51k
25th
$73k
75th
$91k
90th percentile
Salary Breakdown by Percentile
| Percentile | Annual Salary | Hourly Rate |
|---|---|---|
| 10th Percentile (Entry Level) | $40,533 | $19.49 |
| 25th Percentile | $51,483 | $24.75 |
| Median (50th Percentile) | $61,034 | $29.34 |
| 75th Percentile | $73,461 | $35.32 |
| 90th Percentile (Top Earners) | $91,243 | $43.87 |
| Average (Mean) | $66,253 | $31.85 |
Plumber Market Insights for Charlotte, NC
Compensation Overview
Plumber compensation in Charlotte, NC aligns with regional expectations. The salary range from $40,533 to $91,243 provides a clear picture of earning potential at different career stages.
Local Market Context
Charlotte, NC offers competitive compensation that aligns closely with national benchmarks. The North Carolina economy supports a diverse range of industries, providing stable employment opportunities across multiple sectors.
Career Outlook
The Plumber profession offers diverse career opportunities across industries. Professional development and continuous learning are key factors in advancing within this field. With a 125% salary range from entry-level to top earners, there is substantial room for financial growth as you advance in your career.
Tips for Increasing Your Salary
- •Develop specialized expertise to command higher compensation—top earners make 49% more than median salaries
- •Build a professional network through industry associations and local business groups
- •Pursue relevant certifications or advanced education to demonstrate expertise
-4%
vs National Avg
-2%
vs State Avg
125%
Salary Range
369
Jobs in Area
Career Path & Salary Progression
Typical Plumber salary growth in Charlotte, NC based on experience level.
Entry Level
0-2 years10th percentile
$40,533
/year
Early Career
2-5 years25th percentile
$51,483
/year
Mid Career
5-10 years50th percentile
$61,034
/year
Senior
10-15 years75th percentile
$73,461
/year
Expert
15+ years90th percentile
$91,243
/year
Note: Career progression and salary growth vary based on company size, industry, skills, and performance. These estimates use percentile data from the BLS as a general guide for typical career paths.
Plumber Job Market in Charlotte, NC
Where Plumbers Work
Plumbers work across multiple industries including corporations, government agencies, healthcare organizations, and consulting firms. Each sector offers different compensation structures and career trajectories.
Local Employment Landscape
Employment in this occupation is more limited in Charlotte, NC compared to larger metros. Professionals may find opportunities concentrated among fewer employers, making employer research and networking particularly valuable.
Types of Employers Hiring
Large Corporations
Typically offer comprehensive benefits, structured advancement, and competitive base salaries with bonus potential
Small to Medium Businesses
May provide more responsibility earlier in your career, flexible work arrangements, and equity opportunities
Government Agencies
Known for job security, excellent benefits packages, pension plans, and work-life balance
Professional Services Firms
Provide client exposure, rapid skill development, and often above-market compensation for top performers
Skills That Increase Earning Potential
Job Search Strategy for Charlotte, NC
- •Research major employers in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia area and follow them on LinkedIn for job alerts
- •Join local professional associations for networking and job leads specific to North Carolina
- •Tailor your salary expectations based on the Charlotte, NC market rate of $61,034
- •Consider roles at varying experience levels—entry positions start at $40,533 in this market
Frequently Asked Questions
The median plumber salary in Charlotte, NC is $61,034 per year ($29.34/hour) as of 2026. This is based on official U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data. Salaries range from $40,533 for entry-level positions to $91,243 for experienced professionals in the top 10%.
Entry-level plumbers in Charlotte, NC typically start at around $40,533 per year ($19.49/hour), representing the 10th percentile. New graduates and those with less than 2 years of experience fall into this range. With experience and skill development, salaries can progress to the median of $61,034 within 3-5 years.
Plumbers in Charlotte, NC earn a median hourly wage of $29.34 per hour. Hourly rates range from $19.49/hour at entry-level (10th percentile) to $43.87/hour for top earners (90th percentile). Based on a standard 2,080-hour work year, this translates to annual salaries between $40,533 and $91,243.
The median plumber salary of $61,034 in Charlotte, NC is slightly below the national median of $63,580 (4.0% lower). The cost of living is also 2% below average. This salary places you at the 50th percentile, meaning half of plumbers in the area earn more and half earn less.
Plumbers in Charlotte, NC earn slightly below the national average. The local median salary of $61,034 is 4.0% lower than the national median of $63,580. The cost of living is also 2% below average. When adjusted for cost of living, the effective salary is approximately $62,090.
The top 10% of plumbers in Charlotte, NC earn $91,243 or more per year ($43.87/hour). These top earners typically have 10+ years of experience, advanced certifications, specialized expertise, or hold senior/management positions. The 75th percentile earns $73,461, which is a realistic goal for mid-career professionals.
Key skills that can boost plumber salary in Charlotte, NC include: Strong communication and interpersonal abilities, Problem-solving and critical thinking, Technical proficiency relevant to the field, Attention to detail and organizational skills. Professionals with these skills often earn above the median of $61,034, potentially reaching the 75th percentile ($73,461) or higher. Years of relevant experience
Charlotte, NC has a specialized job market for plumbers, with approximately 369 professionals employed in the area. The median salary of $61,034 is slightly below the national average. The cost of living is also 2% below average. Job seekers should consider both salary and local industry demand when evaluating opportunities.
Compare your plumber salary to these Charlotte, NC benchmarks: 10th percentile (entry-level): $40,533, 25th percentile: $51,483, 50th percentile (median): $61,034, 75th percentile: $73,461, 90th percentile (top earners): $91,243. If you earn more than $61,034, you're above average for the area.
Beyond the $61,034 median base salary, plumbers in Charlotte, NC typically receive comprehensive benefits including health insurance (medical, dental, vision), retirement plans (401k with employer matching), paid time off (15-25 days), and potentially bonuses or profit-sharing. Total compensation including benefits typically adds 25-40% to base salary value.
Experienced plumbers with 5-10 years in Charlotte, NC typically earn $73,461 (75th percentile) to $91,243 (90th percentile) per year. Senior professionals with 10+ years, certifications, or management roles can reach the top 10% at $91,243. Mid-career professionals (3-5 years) usually earn around the median of $61,034.
Plumbers in Charlotte, NC can see significant salary growth over their careers. Entry-level ($40,533) to median ($61,034) typically takes 3-5 years. Reaching the 90th percentile ($91,243) may take 10+ years and often requires specialized skills, certifications, or leadership experience. That's a potential growth of $50,710 over a career.
Data Source & Methodology
Official government statistics you can trust
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics
Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program
Visit Official BLS WebsiteData Year
2024
2 Years Old
Geographic Area
Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Occupation Code
47-2152
SOC Classification
Sample Size
369
Employees Surveyed
How This Data Is Collected
The OEWS program produces employment and wage estimates annually for over 800 occupations across all metropolitan and nonmetropolitan areas. Approximately 1.1 million establishments are surveyed over a three-year period, representing the most comprehensive wage data available for the U.S. labor market.
Note: Percentile wages represent actual reported wages and may differ from individual compensation packages that include benefits, bonuses, and equity.
Last updated: January 23, 2026
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Plumber in Charlotte, NC
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Median: $61,034/yr
How Charlotte, NC Compares
vs National Average
$63,580
vs North Carolina Average
$62,402
Cost-of-Living Adjusted
$62,090
Cost of living in Charlotte, NC is 1.7% below the national average.