Plumber salary in Charlotte, NC
Median pay, Charlotte metro
$58,690/year
about $28.22 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $47,430 – $64,230
Half of plumbers in the Charlotte metro area earn more than $58,690 a year and half earn less. That's 8% lower than the national median of $63,800, and ranks #25 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $42,320 | $20.35 |
| 25th | $47,430 | $22.80 |
| Median (50th) | $58,690 | $28.22 |
| 75th | $64,230 | $30.88 |
| 90th (top earners) | $76,010 | $36.54 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a plumber job in the Charlotte metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $47,430 ($22.80/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $47,430 to $64,230 ($22.80 to $30.88/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $64,230 ($30.88/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Pay usually rises with license level (apprentice, journeyman, master). Make sure the offer matches yours.
- Ask whether service calls pay commission or bonuses on top of the hourly rate.
- Check whether a company vehicle, tools and on-call pay are included.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, Charlotte metro. Occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.