Plumber Hourly Pay in Lake Forest, CA: $30.93 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Lake Forest, CA runs $30.93 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,338 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Lake Forest's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.35 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,601 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Plumbers in Lake Forest earn a median hourly rate of $30.93, which is slightly below the national median of $31.45. This figure has significant implications for both part-time and per-diem workers, who typically find employment across various settings, such as residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and specialized industrial tasks. For those working part-time, scheduling three 8-hour days a week can create a stable income while allowing flexibility for other responsibilities or side projects. The hourly pay for plumbers ranges from $22.22 for entry-level positions to as high as $47.95 for the most experienced professionals. However, it is important to remember that these hourly rates are estimates derived from annual salary data and may vary significantly based on employer type and specific job requirements.
About the Lake Forest 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) | $22.22 | $177.73 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.13 | $193.07 |
| Median (P50) | $30.93 | $247.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.59 | $316.75 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $47.95 | $383.59 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Lake Forest
Based on $30.93/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $30.93/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Lake Forest, CA can expect to earn approximately $64,335 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,116. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Lake Forest.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Lake Forest
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,237.21 | $5,361 | $64,335 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $742.33 | $3,217 | $38,601 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $494.88 | $2,144 | $25,734 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Lake Forest) | $30.93 |
| 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 Lake Forest, CA earn a median of $64,338 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.64% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.80% below the California state average of $65,518.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $30.93/hr = $38,601/year (purchasing power: $34,130).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,335/year (purchasing power: $56,883).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.08/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.17/hr
2026 Current Est.
$30.93/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Lake Forest (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.08/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.64/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.32/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.42/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.11/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.78/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.17/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $30.93/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.71/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Lake Forest grew 15.7% from $26.08/hr (2019) to $30.17/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.71/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 Lake Forest 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 Lake Forest
Evaluating the part-time earning potential reveals that a plumber working 24 hours a week would take home approximately $38,647 annually, contrasting sharply with a full-time plumber's potential earnings. For those in per-diem roles, the pay can surge dramatically, especially for travel positions where pipefitters and steamfitters may earn between $100-$175 daily on top of base wages ranging from $40-$65 per hour. Service plumbing often involves call-out fees exceeding $150, and self-employed plumbers in high-cost-of-living areas may effectively charge rates between $100-$180 per hour. Different employer types in Lake Forest, such as UA union contractors and non-union outfits, lead to variances in compensation, with the former typically offering higher hourly rates due to union benefits. Additionally, some plumbers opt to trade off higher wages for health insurance and other benefits, highlighting the complexities of the compensation landscape. To negotiate effectively, it's beneficial to highlight specialized skills, such as medical gas or backflow prevention certifications, in order to secure better hourly rates across various job types.
More salary data for Lake Forest, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Lake Forest in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in Lake Forest?
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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 Lake Forest. 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 Lake Forest 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