Plumber Salary

Los Angeles vs Murrieta: Plumber Salary (2026)

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

Los Angeles, CA
$72,902
$35.05/hr
Murrieta, CA
$65,394
$31.44/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricLos Angeles, CAMurrieta, CA
Median Salary$72,902$65,394
Hourly Rate$35.05$31.44
Entry Level (P10)$47,251$45,937
25th Percentile$60,036$51,643
75th Percentile$103,853$83,705
Top Earner (P90)$128,232$101,362
Total Employed15,69025
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Los Angeles ($72,902) and Murrieta ($65,394) plumber salaries.Los AngelesMurrietaMedian Salary$72,902$65,394Entry Level (P10)$47,251$45,937Top Earner (P90)$128,232$101,362US Median $65,408

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Los Angeles and Murrieta is $7,508 (11.48%). 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 Los Angeles spans $80,981,Murrieta spans $55,425. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,251
P25$60,036
Median$72,902
P75$103,853
P90 (Top)$128,232
Murrieta
P10 (Entry)$45,937
P25$51,643
Median$65,394
P75$83,705
P90 (Top)$101,362

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($64,194 effective) pays 11.02% more than Murrieta ($57,820 effective).

Los Angeles
Nominal: $72,902
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,194
Murrieta
Nominal: $65,394
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,820

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

Which City Is Right for You?

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

Choose Murrieta if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Los Angeles grew 40.6% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -31.1% growth in Murrieta over the same period.

Los Angeles, CA

+40.6%

$50,580 (2019) → $71,110 (2025)

Murrieta, CA

+-31.1%

$92,549 (2024) → $63,787 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Los Angeles or Murrieta?

Los Angeles has a higher median plumber salary at $72,902/year, compared to Murrieta at $65,394/year — a difference of $7,508 (11.48%).

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

Los Angeles plumbers earn $35.05/hr while Murrieta hygienists earn $31.44/hr (2026 est.).

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

Consider more than just salary when comparing Los Angeles and Murrieta. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Los Angeles = $64,194, Murrieta = $57,820), job availability (15,690 vs 25 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,251 in Los Angeles and $45,937 in Murrieta. 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