SalariesByCity
BLS SOC 47-2152 · North Carolina · Updated 2026

Plumber Salary in Raleigh, NC

Plumbers in Raleigh, NC earn a median of $63,000/year, ranging from $48,510 (25th percentile) to $100,800 (90th percentile). After North Carolina state taxes (4.5%) and cost-of-living adjustments (COL index 103), this is equivalent to $61,165 in purchasing power vs the US average.

Median Annual
$63,000
BLS median
Entry Level (P25)
$48,510
25th percentile
Senior (P75)
$80,640
75th percentile
Top Earners (P90)
$100,800
90th percentile

1Salary Distribution in Raleigh, NC

P25
P75
P25
$48,510
Median
$63,000
P75
$80,640
P90
$100,800

2Estimated Take-Home & Purchasing Power

Gross Median Salary
$63,000
Before taxes
Est. Take-Home (After Tax)
$55,592
After 4.5% state + ~7.6% FICA
COL-Adjusted Purchasing Power
$53,973
vs US average (COL index: 103)

* Estimates only. Does not include federal income tax, 401k, health insurance, or local taxes. Use the Salary Calculator for a detailed breakdown.

3

How Does Raleigh, NC Compare?

Nearby and similar metro areas
CityMedianCOL IndexCOL-Adjusted
Raleigh, NC (current)$63,000103$61,165
Charlotte, NC$58,000102$56,863
San Francisco, CA$88,000186$47,312
New York, NY$84,000187$44,920
Seattle, WA$85,000162$52,469
Boston, MA$78,000162$48,148

4Frequently Asked Questions

What is the average Plumber salary in Raleigh, NC?

The median Plumber salary in Raleigh, NC is $63,000 per year as of 2026 BLS OEWS data. The 25th percentile is $48,510 and the 90th percentile is $100,800.

Is Raleigh, NC a good place to work as a Plumber?

Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100). After adjusting for cost of living, a $63,000 Plumber salary in Raleigh, NC is equivalent to $61,165 in purchasing power compared to the US average.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Raleigh, NC?

Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103, meaning it is 3% more expensive than the US average. The state income tax rate in North Carolina is approximately 4.5%.

What is the Plumber salary range in Raleigh, NC?

In Raleigh, NC, Plumbers earn between $48,510 (25th percentile) and $100,800 (90th percentile), with a median of $63,000 per year.

How many Plumber jobs are there in Raleigh, NC?

According to BLS OEWS data, there are approximately 33,000 Plumber positions in the Raleigh, NC metropolitan area.

What do Plumbers earn in Raleigh, NC?

Based on BLS OEWS 2026 data, Plumbers in Raleigh, NC earn a median annual wage of $63,000. The middle 50% earn between $48,510 and $80,640. The top 10% earn more than $100,800. There are approximately 33,000 Plumbers employed in the Raleigh, NC metro area, with annual job growth estimated at 6.4%.

Is Raleigh, NC a good place for a Plumber?

Raleigh, NC has a cost of living index of 103 (US average = 100), making it 3% more expensive than the national average. After adjusting for cost of living, a Plumber in Raleigh, NC earning $63,000has the equivalent purchasing power of $61,165 relative to the US median. North Carolina has a state income tax rate of approximately 4.5%.

What is the cost of living adjustment for Raleigh, NC?

Raleigh, NC's cost of living index is 103, based on composite data including housing, food, transportation, healthcare, and utilities. This means that $63,000 in Raleigh, NChas the same purchasing power as $61,165 in a city at exactly the US average cost of living. Housing is typically the largest driver of cost of living differences between metros.

Compare Raleigh, NC with Another City

See a detailed side-by-side comparison of salary, taxes, and purchasing power.

Data source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) Program. All figures are approximate annual estimates based on the most recent available BLS data. Actual salaries may vary based on experience, education, employer size, and specific role. Cost-of-living data represents composite indices from publicly available metropolitan area data.