Plumber Salary

Glendale vs Los Angeles: Plumber Salary (2026)

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

Glendale, CA
$65,930
$31.70/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$72,902
$35.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricGlendale, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$65,930$72,902
Hourly Rate$31.70$35.05
Entry Level (P10)$46,884$47,251
25th Percentile$52,698$60,036
75th Percentile$84,390$103,853
Top Earner (P90)$102,191$128,232
Total Employed3615,690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Glendale ($65,930) and Los Angeles ($72,902) plumber salaries.GlendaleLos AngelesMedian Salary$65,930$72,902Entry Level (P10)$46,884$47,251Top Earner (P90)$102,191$128,232US Median $65,408

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Glendale and Los Angeles is $6,972 (10.57%). 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 Glendale spans $55,307,Los Angeles spans $80,981. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Glendale
P10 (Entry)$46,884
P25$52,698
Median$65,930
P75$84,390
P90 (Top)$102,191
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 10.12% more than Glendale ($58,294 effective).

Glendale
Nominal: $65,930
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $58,294
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 Glendale 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 Glendale grew -31.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Glendale, CA

+-31.1%

$93,306 (2024) → $64,309 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+40.6%

$50,580 (2019) → $71,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Glendale or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median plumber salary at $72,902/year, compared to Glendale at $65,930/year — a difference of $6,972 (10.57%).

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

Glendale plumbers earn $31.70/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $35.05/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Glendale and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Glendale = $58,294, Los Angeles = $64,194), job availability (36 vs 15,690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $46,884 in Glendale 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