Plumber Salary

Dublin vs San Francisco: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Dublin, CA and San Francisco, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Dublin, CA
$66,316
$31.88/hr
San Francisco, CA
$79,843
$38.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricDublin, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$66,316$79,843
Hourly Rate$31.88$38.38
Entry Level (P10)$45,836$49,763
25th Percentile$50,179$64,229
75th Percentile$84,885$124,839
Top Earner (P90)$102,790$159,244
Total Employed145,660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Dublin ($66,316) and San Francisco ($79,843) plumber salaries.DublinSan FranciscoMedian Salary$66,316$79,843Entry Level (P10)$45,836$49,763Top Earner (P90)$102,790$159,244US Median $65,408

Verdict

San Francisco, CA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Dublin.

The salary gap between Dublin and San Francisco is $13,527 (20.40%). San Francisco's median is +22.07% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Dublin spans $56,954,San Francisco spans $109,481. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Dublin
P10 (Entry)$45,836
P25$50,179
Median$66,316
P75$84,885
P90 (Top)$102,790
San Francisco
P10 (Entry)$49,763
P25$64,229
Median$79,843
P75$124,839
P90 (Top)$159,244

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Francisco ($69,061 effective) pays 17.78% more than Dublin ($58,635 effective).

Dublin
Nominal: $66,316
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $58,635
San Francisco
Nominal: $79,843
CoL Index: 115.613
Adjusted: $69,061

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Dublin if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Francisco if…

  • Higher median salary ($79,843/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($159,244)
  • Larger job market (5,660 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $69,061)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Dublin grew -31.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.1% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Dublin, CA

+-31.1%

$93,853 (2024) → $64,686 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+0.1%

$77,800 (2019) → $77,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Dublin or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median plumber salary at $79,843/year, compared to Dublin at $66,316/year — a difference of $13,527 (20.40%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Dublin and San Francisco?

Dublin plumbers earn $31.88/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $38.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Dublin to San Francisco as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Dublin and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Dublin = $58,635, San Francisco = $69,061), job availability (14 vs 5,660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Dublin vs San Francisco?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $45,836 in Dublin and $49,763 in San Francisco. The San Francisco 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