Plumber Salary

Alameda vs Los Angeles: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Alameda, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alameda, CA
$63,642
$30.60/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$72,902
$35.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlameda, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$63,642$72,902
Hourly Rate$30.60$35.05
Entry Level (P10)$44,884$47,251
25th Percentile$50,221$60,036
75th Percentile$81,462$103,853
Top Earner (P90)$98,646$128,232
Total Employed1215,690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alameda ($63,642) and Los Angeles ($72,902) plumber salaries.AlamedaLos AngelesMedian Salary$63,642$72,902Entry Level (P10)$44,884$47,251Top Earner (P90)$98,646$128,232US Median $65,408

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alameda.

The salary gap between Alameda and Los Angeles is $9,260 (14.55%). Los Angeles's median is +11.46% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alameda spans $53,762,Los Angeles spans $80,981. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Alameda
P10 (Entry)$44,884
P25$50,221
Median$63,642
P75$81,462
P90 (Top)$98,646
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,251
P25$60,036
Median$72,902
P75$103,853
P90 (Top)$128,232

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($64,194 effective) pays 14.08% more than Alameda ($56,271 effective).

Alameda
Nominal: $63,642
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $56,271
Los Angeles
Nominal: $72,902
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,194

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alameda if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,232)
  • Larger job market (15,690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,194)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Alameda grew -31.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Alameda, CA

+-31.1%

$90,070 (2024) → $62,078 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+40.6%

$50,580 (2019) → $71,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Alameda or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median plumber salary at $72,902/year, compared to Alameda at $63,642/year — a difference of $9,260 (14.55%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alameda and Los Angeles?

Alameda plumbers earn $30.60/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $35.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alameda to Los Angeles as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alameda and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alameda = $56,271, Los Angeles = $64,194), job availability (12 vs 15,690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Alameda vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $44,884 in Alameda and $47,251 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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Written by Samuel Torres, CWP

Career Analyst

Samuel Torres has 10 years of experience in plumbing. He specializes in residential plumbing systems. He has worked with several home improvement companies.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov