Plumber Salary

Moreno Valley vs San Francisco: Plumber Salary (2026)

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

Moreno Valley, CA
$66,139
$31.80/hr
San Francisco, CA
$79,843
$38.38/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricMoreno Valley, CASan Francisco, CA
Median Salary$66,139$79,843
Hourly Rate$31.80$38.38
Entry Level (P10)$44,310$49,763
25th Percentile$50,847$64,229
75th Percentile$84,658$124,839
Top Earner (P90)$102,515$159,244
Total Employed535,660
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Moreno Valley ($66,139) and San Francisco ($79,843) plumber salaries.Moreno ValleySan FranciscoMedian Salary$66,139$79,843Entry Level (P10)$44,310$49,763Top Earner (P90)$102,515$159,244US Median $65,408

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Moreno Valley and San Francisco is $13,704 (20.72%). 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 Moreno Valley spans $58,205,San Francisco spans $109,481. San Francisco has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Moreno Valley
P10 (Entry)$44,310
P25$50,847
Median$66,139
P75$84,658
P90 (Top)$102,515
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 18.10% more than Moreno Valley ($58,478 effective).

Moreno Valley
Nominal: $66,139
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $58,478
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 Moreno Valley 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 Moreno Valley grew -31.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 0.1% growth in San Francisco over the same period.

Moreno Valley, CA

+-31.1%

$93,602 (2024) → $64,513 (2025)

San Francisco, CA

+0.1%

$77,800 (2019) → $77,880 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Moreno Valley or San Francisco?

San Francisco has a higher median plumber salary at $79,843/year, compared to Moreno Valley at $66,139/year — a difference of $13,704 (20.72%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Moreno Valley and San Francisco?

Moreno Valley plumbers earn $31.80/hr while San Francisco hygienists earn $38.38/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Moreno Valley to San Francisco as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Moreno Valley and San Francisco. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Moreno Valley = $58,478, San Francisco = $69,061), job availability (53 vs 5,660 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

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

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $44,310 in Moreno Valley and $49,763 in San Francisco. The San Francisco area offers higher starting salaries.

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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