Plumber Hourly Pay in Berkeley, CA: $31.63 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Berkeley, CA runs $31.63 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,776 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Berkeley's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.96 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,471 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Berkeley, California, the plumber hourly pay is projected to be $31.63 in 2026, positioning it slightly above the national median hourly rate of $31.45. For part-time and per-diem plumbers, this means substantial earnings across various work settings, including commercial construction sites, residential service calls, and specialized environments like hospital mechanical rooms. Entry-level plumbers can expect to earn around $22.37 per hour, while top earners in the field may clear as much as $49.01. These hourly rates provide a clear perspective on compensation in the industry, reflecting the diverse demands and skill levels required in plumber roles.
About the Berkeley 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) | $22.37 | $178.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.19 | $201.51 |
| Median (P50) | $31.63 | $253.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.47 | $323.80 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.01 | $392.12 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Berkeley
Based on $31.63/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.63/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Berkeley, CA can expect to earn approximately $65,785 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,953. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Berkeley.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Berkeley
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,265.10 | $5,482 | $65,785 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.06 | $3,289 | $39,471 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.04 | $2,193 | $26,314 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Berkeley) | $31.63 |
| 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 Berkeley, CA earn a median of $65,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.56% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.40% above the California state average of $65,514.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.63/hr = $39,471/year (purchasing power: $34,899).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,785/year (purchasing power: $58,165).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.67/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.85/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.63/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.67/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.24/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.75/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.85/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.63/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.42/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Berkeley grew 15.7% from $26.67/hr (2019) to $30.85/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.42/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 Berkeley 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 Berkeley
Several factors influence the actual take-home pay for plumbers in Berkeley. A part-time plumber working three days a week would potentially earn around $39,152 annually, a significant difference from full-time earnings. Per-diem plumber pay in Berkeley can be notably lucrative, particularly for travel pipefitters who may receive daily allowances ranging from $100 to $175 on top of their base rate of $40 to $65 per hour for out-of-town projects. The industry landscape also varies by employer type; union contractors often provide competitive wages that include benefits, while self-employed plumbers might charge $100-$180 per hour without benefits. Negotiating wage rates effectively involves understanding the trade-offs between higher hourly pay and the security offered by benefits, especially in high-cost-of-living cities like Berkeley.
More salary data for Berkeley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Berkeley in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Berkeley?
Are plumbers in Berkeley paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Berkeley?
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Related Pages
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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 Berkeley. 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 Berkeley 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