Plumber pay in Raleigh, NC
Plumbers in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earn a typical $60,540 a year. The middle half earn $48,370 to $70,010, and the top 10% earn more than $77,610. About 2,810 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, SOC 47-2152).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $42,940 |
| 25th percentile | $48,370 |
| Median (typical) | $60,540 |
| 75th percentile | $70,010 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $77,610 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 38 of 50 large metros for plumbers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $60,540, a single filer keeps about $48,900 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and North Carolina state income tax. Prices in Raleigh are 2% below the US average, so that take-home buys what $49,800 would in a typical US city. That ranks Raleigh No. 40 of 50 large metros for plumbers after cost of living.
Where plumbers’ pay goes furthest
- Chicago, IL$103,380 typical · worth $73.9k
- Minneapolis, MN$101,630 typical · worth $71.5k
- San Jose, CA$107,560 typical · worth $71.3k
- Seattle, WA$95,230 typical · worth $68.2k
Where does your salary land?
Add your salary and experience to see your percentile among plumbers in Raleigh. Free and private. (Different city? Use the main checker.)
Common questions
How much does a plumber make in Raleigh, NC?
The typical (median) plumber in the Raleigh-Cary, NC metro area earns $60,540 a year. The middle half earn between $48,370 and $70,010, and the top 10% earn more than $77,610. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a plumber in Raleigh?
Anything above $60,540 pays more than half of plumbers in Raleigh. $70,010 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $77,610 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a plumber in Raleigh take home after taxes?
At the typical $60,540, a single filer keeps about $48,900 a year ($4,080 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, North Carolina state income tax. With local prices 2% below the US average, that buys what $49,800 would in a typical US city.
Where do plumbers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical plumber pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in Chicago, IL, Minneapolis, MN, San Jose, CA. Raleigh, NC ranks No. 40.
More: Plumber pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in Raleigh, NC
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.