Plumber Hourly Pay in Pasadena, CA: $31.75 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Pasadena, CA runs $31.75 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,035 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Pasadena's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,625 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Pasadena, California, the plumber hourly pay is projected to be $31.75 in 2026, slightly above the national median of $31.45. This competitive rate reflects the demand for skilled plumbing professionals in various settings, such as residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and even specialized roles in hospital mechanical rooms. For part-time or per-diem plumbers working three days a week, this hourly wage translates to a stable income while enjoying flexibility. Entry-level plumbers can expect to earn around $21.88 per hour, while experienced professionals can reach rates as high as $49.21 per hour. These estimates are derived from annual salary predictions, ensuring that the hourly figures offer a comprehensive view of what plumbing work in Pasadena entails.
About the Pasadena 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) | $21.88 | $175.02 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.75 | $197.99 |
| Median (P50) | $31.75 | $254.00 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.64 | $325.11 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $49.21 | $393.68 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Pasadena
Based on $31.75/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.75/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Pasadena, CA can expect to earn approximately $66,041 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,101. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Pasadena.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Pasadena
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,270.02 | $5,503 | $66,041 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $762.01 | $3,302 | $39,625 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $508.01 | $2,201 | $26,416 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Pasadena) | $31.75 |
| 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 Pasadena, CA earn a median of $66,035 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.96% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.80% above the California state average of $65,511.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.75/hr = $39,625/year (purchasing power: $35,035).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,041/year (purchasing power: $58,392).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.78/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.97/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.75/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Pasadena (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.78/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.34/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.07/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.17/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.88/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.93/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.97/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.75/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.55/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Pasadena grew 15.7% from $26.78/hr (2019) to $30.97/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.55/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 Pasadena 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 Pasadena
Over a part-time schedule, a plumber working 24 hours a week could earn approximately $39,507 annually, contrasting with a full-time worker's potential earnings. Those taking on per-diem roles often find themselves in higher-paying situations, especially when working in out-of-town industrial environments, where they can receive an additional $100-$175 per day on top of hourly wages ranging from $40 to $65. Employer types in Pasadena vary significantly; union contracts can offer premiums that exceed non-union rates, providing job security and benefits. For those plumbing professionals who prefer the autonomy of self-employment, hourly rates can be quite lucrative, ranging from $100 to $180 per hour depending on the project's scope. Ultimately, potential plumbers must weigh the benefits of lower hourly rates with added benefits versus higher rates without health insurance coverage. Negotiation strategies are key in this industry, especially in Pasadena, where the cost of living can influence the acceptable pay rate significantly.
More salary data for Pasadena, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in Pasadena in 2026?
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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 Pasadena. 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 Pasadena 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