Plumber Salary

Roseville vs San Diego: Plumber Salary (2026)

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

Roseville, CA
$66,578
$32.01/hr
San Diego, CA
$74,337
$35.74/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricRoseville, CASan Diego, CA
Median Salary$66,578$74,337
Hourly Rate$32.01$35.74
Entry Level (P10)$47,520$47,190
25th Percentile$53,198$62,937
75th Percentile$85,219$96,861
Top Earner (P90)$103,196$131,010
Total Employed355,100
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Roseville ($66,578) and San Diego ($74,337) plumber salaries.RosevilleSan DiegoMedian Salary$66,578$74,337Entry Level (P10)$47,520$47,190Top Earner (P90)$103,196$131,010US Median $65,408

Verdict

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

The salary gap between Roseville and San Diego is $7,759 (11.65%). San Diego's median is +13.65% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Roseville spans $55,676,San Diego spans $83,820. San Diego has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Roseville
P10 (Entry)$47,520
P25$53,198
Median$66,578
P75$85,219
P90 (Top)$103,196
San Diego
P10 (Entry)$47,190
P25$62,937
Median$74,337
P75$96,861
P90 (Top)$131,010

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, San Diego ($66,439 effective) pays 12.86% more than Roseville ($58,866 effective).

Roseville
Nominal: $66,578
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $58,866
San Diego
Nominal: $74,337
CoL Index: 111.887
Adjusted: $66,439

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Roseville if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose San Diego if…

  • Higher median salary ($74,337/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($131,010)
  • Larger job market (5,100 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $66,439)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Roseville grew -30.4% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 31.3% growth in San Diego over the same period.

Roseville, CA

+-30.4%

$93,284 (2024) → $64,941 (2025)

San Diego, CA

+31.3%

$55,240 (2019) → $72,510 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Roseville or San Diego?

San Diego has a higher median plumber salary at $74,337/year, compared to Roseville at $66,578/year — a difference of $7,759 (11.65%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Roseville and San Diego?

Roseville plumbers earn $32.01/hr while San Diego hygienists earn $35.74/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Roseville to San Diego as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Roseville and San Diego. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Roseville = $58,866, San Diego = $66,439), job availability (35 vs 5,100 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Roseville vs San Diego?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,520 in Roseville and $47,190 in San Diego. The Roseville 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