Plumber Hourly Pay in Costa Mesa, CA: $31.66 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Costa Mesa, CA runs $31.66 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,844 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Costa Mesa's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.99 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,509 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Plumbers in Costa Mesa, CA, can expect to earn a median hourly rate of $31.66, slightly above the national median of $31.45. This figure is significant for those operating in various environments, whether they are working part-time at commercial construction sites, on residential service calls, or managing complex tasks like hospital plumbing installations. With an hourly range from $21.67 at the entry-level (P10) to $49.07 for top earners (P90), this position offers a wide spectrum of earning potential. Given that these hourly rates are derived from annual salary estimates, they reflect not just daily wages but also the potential for overtime, lucrative per-diem opportunities for out-of-town projects, and specialized jobs in the plumbing field.
About the Costa Mesa 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) | $21.67 | $173.38 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.56 | $196.51 |
| Median (P50) | $31.66 | $253.27 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.52 | $324.13 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.07 | $392.53 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Costa Mesa
Based on $31.66/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.66/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Costa Mesa, CA can expect to earn approximately $65,849 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,990. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Costa Mesa.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Costa Mesa
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,266.33 | $5,487 | $65,849 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $759.80 | $3,292 | $39,509 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $506.53 | $2,195 | $26,340 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Costa Mesa) | $31.66 |
| 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 Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $65,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.50% above the California state average of $65,517.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.66/hr = $39,509/year (purchasing power: $34,933).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,849/year (purchasing power: $58,222).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.70/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.88/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.66/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.70/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.26/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.98/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.08/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.88/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.66/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.46/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Costa Mesa grew 15.7% from $26.70/hr (2019) to $30.88/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.46/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 Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa
Focusing on part-time dynamics, a plumber working three days a week, or 24 hours total, can expect to take home around $39,200 annually, which reflects a steady income that contrasts with the full-time potential of over $66,000 for those working 40 hours weekly. For per-diem plumbers, especially in industrial settings, daily rates can soar to between $100 and $175 in addition to their hourly wage, which typically ranges from $40 to $65. Factors affecting hourly pay in Costa Mesa include employer type—whether they're unionized, non-union, or part of large service companies like Roto-Rooter—and whether they offer benefits. While some plumbers might opt for lower pay in exchange for health insurance, others could command higher rates as self-employed contractors. Understanding these dynamics and being open to negotiation can significantly impact earnings for plumbers in this market.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Costa Mesa in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Costa Mesa?
Are plumbers in Costa Mesa paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time plumber make per year in Costa Mesa?
Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in Costa Mesa?
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 Costa Mesa. 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 Costa Mesa 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