Plumber in Concord, NC

The Salary Picture: Where Concord Stands

If you're a plumber eyeing Concord, NC, the numbers tell a straightforward story. You're looking at a market that pays slightly below the national average but offers a lower cost of living, which can actually stretch your dollar further. Let's break it down.

The median salary for plumbers in the Concord metro area is $62,779 per year, which translates to an hourly rate of $30.18. For context, the national average for plumbers sits at $63,350 per year. So, Concord is only about $571 below the national median annually—not a significant gap, especially when you factor in the local economy. The metro area has approximately 220 jobs for plumbers, indicating a steady but not overcrowded market. Over the next decade, the 10-year job growth is projected at 6%, which is solid, aligning with broader trends in skilled trades as infrastructure ages and new developments pop up in the Charlotte metro's northern suburbs.

Here’s how pay breaks down by experience level in Concord. Note that these are estimates based on local data and regional trends, as specific city data can be sparse.

Experience Level	Estimated Annual Salary	Notes
Entry-Level (0-2 years)	$45,000 - $52,000	Typically starts in apprenticeship roles. Strong demand in new construction.
Mid-Level (3-7 years)	$58,000 - $68,000	Where most journeymen land. Can specialize or move into foreman roles.
Senior-Level (8-15 years)	$70,000 - $85,000	Often involves project management, complex commercial work, or owning your own truck.
Expert/Owner (15+ years)	$90,000+	Business owners or master plumbers with specialized certifications (e.g., medical gas, backflow).

How Concord Compares to Other NC Cities:
Concord is a satellite of Charlotte, so it's useful to compare within the state. Charlotte itself has a higher median salary for plumbers, closer to $65,000, but the cost of living is also higher. In contrast, cities like Greensboro or Winston-Salem have median salaries similar to Concord (~$61,000-$63,000), but with slightly lower rents. Raleigh, as a major tech hub, pays more (~$67,000) but competes with a more expensive housing market. For a plumber who wants access to the Charlotte job market without the city's premium price tag, Concord is a strategic middle ground.

Insider Tip: The $30.18 hourly rate is a key benchmark. In Concord, commercial and industrial plumbers often earn at the higher end of this range, while residential service techs might see more variable pay based on commission and overtime. Always clarify the pay structure during interviews—union shops (like those affiliated with the United Association) often have set wage scales that meet or exceed the median.

The Real Take-Home: After Taxes and Rent

Let's get real about your budget. We'll use the median salary of $62,779 as our baseline. After estimated taxes (federal, state, and FICA), a single filer would take home roughly $48,000 - $50,000 annually, or about $4,000 - $4,167 per month. This is a simplified calculation; your actual take-home depends on withholdings, benefits, and other deductions.

The average rent for a 1-bedroom apartment in Concord is $1,384 per month. This is a critical number. If your monthly take-home is around $4,100, housing alone consumes about 34% of your net income. While this is on the higher side of the recommended 30% threshold, it's manageable, especially if you have a roommate or opt for a slightly older building.

Monthly Budget Breakdown for a Plumber Earning $62,779:

• Net Monthly Income: ~$4,100
• Housing (1BR Rent): -$1,384
• Utilities (Est.): -$200 (Electricity, water, internet)
• Groceries: -$400
• Transportation (Car Payment/Gas/Insurance): -$500 (Concord is car-dependent)
• Health Insurance (if not fully covered by employer): -$300
• All Other Expenses (Phone, Personal, Savings): -$1,316

Can They Afford to Buy a Home?
Yes, but with caveats. The Cost of Living Index in Concord is 97.0, meaning it's 3% below the national average. This helps. The median home price in Concord hovers around $310,000 - $340,000. With a $62,779 salary, a lender would typically approve a mortgage of about $250,000 - $290,000 (using standard debt-to-income ratios). This means a plumber at the median salary would need a significant down payment (10-20%) to comfortably afford a median-priced home without being house-poor.

Insider Tip: Many plumbers in Concord who own homes bought before the recent price surge or purchased in more affordable neighboring towns like Mount Pleasant or Harrisburg. If buying is a goal, consider starting with a townhome or a smaller single-family home in a neighborhood like Kannapolis, which is part of the Concord metro and often has slightly lower entry prices. The 6% job growth suggests stability, which is helpful for mortgage applications.

Where the Jobs Are: Concord's Major Employers

Concord's job market is deeply tied to construction, healthcare, and local government. As the county seat and a hub for Cabarrus County, there's consistent demand for plumbing services in both new builds and maintenance of existing infrastructure.

1. Cabarrus County Schools & County Government: A major public employer. They maintain a fleet of facilities, from elementary schools to the county administration building. Jobs here are stable, come with benefits (including pensions), and often involve scheduled maintenance work. Hiring tends to be cyclical, tied to budget cycles, but they almost always have openings for journeyman-level plumbers.

2. Atrium Health Cabarrus & Novant Health Rowan Medical Center (nearby): Healthcare is a massive driver. Atrium Health Cabarrus is a large hospital complex requiring specialized plumbing for medical gas systems, sterilization equipment, and high-grade water filtration. These roles often pay a premium. Novant Health Rowan Medical Center in nearby Salisbury is also a significant employer. Expect strict protocols and a need for certifications.

3. Major Commercial & Industrial Contractors: Companies like McDevitt Street Construction, Blythe Construction, and Swinerton (which has a local office) are frequently involved in Concord's commercial projects—from the new mixed-use developments in downtown to industrial parks near the airport. These jobs involve new construction plumbing, often on tight deadlines.

4. Local Residential Service Companies: Concord has a thriving ecosystem of mid-sized residential plumbing companies. Firms like Cowan & Sons Plumbing, Mr. Rooter Plumbing of Concord, and Lowe's Plumbing & Heating are always looking for service technicians and installers. These jobs are often commission-based and can be high-pressure but offer high earning potential for those who excel in customer service and sales.

5. Lake Norman & Concord Municipalities: The towns of Concord and Kannapolis (part of the metro) have their own public works departments. They maintain water and sewer lines, stormwater systems, and public buildings. These are unionized positions with excellent benefits and job security—highly competitive to get into.

6. Retail & Hospitality (Kannapolis & Concord): The Kannapolis Cannon Ballers stadium (an affiliate of the Chicago White Sox) and the numerous hotels and restaurants around the Concord Mills Mall area require constant plumbing maintenance. While not always full-time, these provide steady contract work for independent plumbers.

Hiring Trends: There's a noticeable shift toward green plumbing and water conservation. Companies with expertise in tankless water heaters, low-flow fixtures, and backflow prevention are in high demand. The 6% growth is partly driven by the continued expansion of the Charlotte metro into Cabarrus County, meaning new residential and commercial developments are a reliable source of work.

Insider Tip: The best jobs often aren't posted online. Join the Charlotte Area Plumbing & Mechanical Contractors Association (CAPMCA). Attend their meetings. Many of the best commercial jobs are filled through referrals and relationships.

Getting Licensed in NC

North Carolina has clear, regulated pathways for plumbers, which is good for protecting wages and ensuring quality. You cannot legally work as a plumber without proper licensing.

State-Specific Requirements & Costs:

1. Apprenticeship: Start as an apprentice. You must register with the North Carolina State Board of Examiners of Plumbing, Heating and Fire Sprinkler Contractors. There's a small annual fee ($15-$25). You'll need to work under a licensed contractor for 4 years (8,000 hours) and 2 semesters of technical training.
2. Journeyman License: After apprenticeship, you must pass the North Carolina Journeyman Plumber exam. The exam fee is approximately $100-$150. You need to submit notarized proof of your completed hours and training.
3. Master Plumber License: To own a business or pull permits, you need a Master Plumber license. This requires 2 additional years as a journeyman (4,000 hours) and passing the Master Plumber exam (fee: ~$200).

Total Estimated Cost to Full Licensure (Master):

• Apprenticeship registration: ~$50
• Journeyman exam: ~$150
• Master Plumber exam: ~$200
• Total: ~$400 (not including training costs or tools).

Timeline to Get Started:

• Year 1-4: Complete apprenticeship (on-the-job training + classroom).
• Year 5: Pass Journeyman exam.
• Year 7: Eligible for Master Plumber exam.

Insider Tip: The North Carolina State Board website is your bible. Bookmark it. Also, many local technical schools (like Rowan-Cabarrus Community College, which serves Concord) offer pre-apprenticeship programs that can give you a leg up. Some employers will even help pay for your licensing exams if you commit to them.

Best Neighborhoods for Plumbers

Where you live affects your commute, your daily life, and your rent. Concord and its immediate suburbs offer distinct options.

1. Downtown Concord: The historic core is walkable, with cafes and restaurants. Commuting to job sites is easy via I-85 or NC-3. It's becoming more desirable, so rent is climbing. Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,450 - $1,650/month. Best for young plumbers who want a social scene and minimal commute to commercial jobs in the city center.

2. Kannapolis: Technically its own city but part of the Concord metro and a major employer hub (Cannon Ballers, NC Research Campus). Offers more affordable housing and a quieter feel. Commute to Concord jobs is 10-15 minutes. Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,200 - $1,350/month. Ideal for those seeking value and proximity to key employers.

3. Mount Pleasant: A charming, small town about 15 minutes west of Concord. It's very residential with a strong sense of community. Commute to Concord is easy via NC-49. Rents are lower. Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,100 - $1,250/month. Great for plumbers with families or those who prefer a quieter, rural-adjacent lifestyle.

4. Harrisburg: A fast-growing suburb east of Concord, closer to Charlotte. Offers newer apartment complexes and houses. Commute to Concord jobs is 20-25 minutes (can be heavier traffic). Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,400 - $1,600/month. Best for those who want access to Charlotte's amenities and job market while keeping Concord as a base.

5. Northeast Concord / Cabarrus County: This includes areas around the Concord Regional Airport and the new industrial parks. It's more suburban and car-centric. You'll find newer, larger apartment complexes here. Rent Estimate (1BR): $1,300 - $1,500/month. Excellent for plumbers who work primarily on new construction sites or at the airport.

Insider Tip: Traffic on I-85 and NC-3 can be brutal during rush hour. If you work at a hospital (like Atrium), living on the opposite side of town from it can save you 20+ minutes. Consider your primary job's location when choosing a neighborhood.

The Long Game: Career Growth

A plumber in Concord isn't stuck in a rut. The 6% job growth is a floor, not a ceiling, for ambitious professionals. Here's how to scale up.

Specialty Premiums:

• Medical Gas Certification: This is the golden ticket for hospital work. Certified installers can command $5-$10 more per hour than a standard journeyman.
• Backflow Prevention: Required for many commercial properties. Certification is a short course and adds significant value for property management contracts.
• Green Plumbing / Water Efficiency: With North Carolina's focus on water resources, knowledge of greywater systems, rainwater harvesting, and high-efficiency fixtures is increasingly valuable.
• Industrial/Pipefitting: Working on large-scale industrial projects at plants or in data centers (a growing sector in the Charlotte region) pays well and offers consistent 40+ hour weeks.

Advancement Paths:

1. Field to Office: Move from a wrench to a drafting table. Become an estimator or project manager for a mid-sized firm. This path requires learning software (like AutoCAD) and construction math.
2. Specialist to Owner: Start your own small service company focusing on a niche (e.g., tankless water heater installation, drain cleaning). Concord's housing stock is aging, so there's steady demand for repiping and fixture updates.
3. Corporate Ladder: Join a large mechanical contractor (like Harbert or Crowder) and move into regional management, overseeing multiple projects across the Charlotte metro.

10-Year Outlook:
The outlook is strong. The metro population of 110,097 is growing. The Charlotte metro's expansion into Cabarrus County guarantees continuous new construction. Furthermore, the aging workforce in the trades means a coming shortage of experienced plumbers, which will drive wages up. Plumbers who stay current with technology (e.g., leak detection equipment, video pipe inspection) and regulations will be in the highest demand.

Insider Tip: The most successful plumbers in Concord aren't just skilled with a pipe wrench; they're skilled with people. Building a reputation for reliability, cleanliness, and clear communication with homeowners and general contractors is what leads to referrals and the highest-paying jobs.

The Verdict: Is Concord Right for You?

Pros	Cons
Strong, stable job market tied to Charlotte's growth.	Wages are slightly below the national average, though offset by lower COL.
Significantly lower cost of living than Charlotte proper.	Car-dependency is a must, adding transportation costs.
Access to both residential and commercial work (new construction & service).	Traffic congestion is a growing issue on major arteries (I-85).
Clear licensing path with opportunities for specialization.	Limited nightlife and cultural amenities compared to a major city.
Family-friendly atmosphere with good schools and neighborhoods.	Rapid growth can lead to rising rents and housing prices over time.

Final Recommendation:
Concord is an excellent choice for a mid-career plumber (3-10 years of experience) looking for a stable, well-paying job with a manageable cost of living. It's perfect for those who value a suburban feel, want to buy a home in the medium term, and appreciate being close to the economic engine of Charlotte without its price tag and congestion.

For a brand-new apprentice, the market is good but competitive. You'll need to hustle to find a sponsor. For a senior master plumber or business owner, Concord offers a scalable market with room to grow a reputable company, especially if you can tap into the commercial and healthcare sectors.

If your priority is maximizing raw salary above all else, look to Raleigh or Charlotte. But if you want a balanced career with a better quality of life, Concord is a data-backed, practical decision.

FAQs

1. How does the union presence affect plumbers in Concord?
The United Association (UA) Local 71 covers the Charlotte area, including Concord. Union shops typically offer higher wages, better benefits (pension, healthcare), and structured overtime. However, union jobs can be less frequent for new entrants and may require a waitlist. Many non-union shops in Concord are competitive and offer good pay, especially in residential service. It's worth contacting the local union hall to understand your options.

2. Is it worth getting licensed before moving to Concord?
If you're already licensed in another state, you'll need to check reciprocity with the NC State Board. There is limited reciprocity; many states require you to pass the NC exam. It's often easier to start the NC process (get an apprentice license) once you arrive. Having documented hours from another