Plumber Hourly Pay in Alameda, CA: $30.60 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Alameda, CA runs $30.60 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $63,642 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Alameda's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.06 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,192 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source

In Alameda, California, the plumber hourly pay is projected to be around $30.60 in 2026, slightly lower than the national median hourly pay of $31.45. This figure reflects the competitive nature of plumbing work in the area, where many plumbers operate in a variety of settings, including residential service calls and commercial construction. For part-time workers, such as those on a three-day work schedule, this hourly rate can translate into substantial bi-weekly earnings depending on their workload. Alameda plumbers can expect to see hourly rates ranging from $21.58 for entry-level positions to as high as $47.43 for seasoned professionals in specialized roles. These estimates are derived from annual salary data, indicating a stable wage environment despite some fluctuations across different job markets.
About the Alameda Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $21.58 | $172.64 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.14 | $193.15 |
| Median (P50) | $30.60 | $244.82 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.16 | $313.30 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.43 | $379.41 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Alameda
Based on $30.60/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.60/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Alameda, CA can expect to earn approximately $63,653 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $36,723. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Alameda.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Alameda
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,224.09 | $5,304 | $63,653 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $734.45 | $3,183 | $38,192 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $489.64 | $2,122 | $25,461 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Alameda) | $30.60 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Alameda, CA earn a median of $63,642 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.70% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 2.90% below the California state average of $65,543.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.60/hr = $38,192/year (purchasing power: $33,768).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $63,653/year (purchasing power: $56,280).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.81/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$29.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.60/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Alameda (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.81/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.36/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.02/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.11/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.80/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.30/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $29.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.60/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.37/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Alameda grew 15.7% from $25.81/hr (2019) to $29.85/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.37/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Alameda metropolitan area, sourced from annual Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics surveys. 2026–2026 figures are current estimates, and 2027 values are projections, calculated using a 2.52% CAGR derived from 7-year BLS historical data. Actual salaries may vary based on employer, experience, certifications, and local market conditions.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Alameda
An individual plumber working part-time, for instance, could earn about $38,196 annually by working a 24-hour week, significantly less than a full-time colleague earning closer to $63,642. For those pursuing per diem plumber pay in Alameda, earnings can vary greatly; traveling technicians often command rates of $40-$65 per hour, complemented by daily stipends ranging from $100 to $175 when working on out-of-town projects. Hourly wage differences also reflect employer types, where unionized plumbers often enjoy a premium over their non-union counterparts due to comprehensive benefits. Self-employed plumbers may charge rates between $100 to $180 per hour but have to balance those figures against the potential of inconsistent income. Negotiating hourly wages in this environment can prove beneficial; understanding the nuances of benefits versus hourly rates can aid plumbers in securing favorable terms that align with their career goals in the competitive Alameda market.
More salary data for Alameda, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Alameda in 2026?
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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.
Methodology & Data Source
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Alameda. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Alameda is estimated from official BLS state-level occupational wage data (2025), adjusted for regional cost-of-living differences using BEA RPP (Regional Price Parities).
2026 figures are projected from 2025 BLS data using a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 2.52%, derived from historical BLS wage trends for plumbers (SOC 47-2152).
Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov