Plumber Hourly Pay in San Diego, CA: $35.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in San Diego, CA runs $35.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $74,337 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against San Diego's regional price level (BEA RPP 111.9, 12% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.94 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $44,602 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, the plumber hourly pay in San Diego, CA, reaches a median of $35.74, significantly higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. This robust figure is indicative of the high cost of living in the area and the specialized skills required in diverse settings such as residential service calls, commercial construction sites, and hospital mechanical rooms. For plumbers working part-time, say three days a week, this hourly rate translates to substantial weekly earnings, particularly in high-demand sectors like medical gas and manufacturing plant systems. Entry-level plumbers may start at around $22.69 per hour, while experienced professionals can command rates up to $62.99, showcasing a healthy wage spread that reflects varying levels of expertise and market demands, according to projections based on 2025 BLS OEWS data.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.69 | $181.50 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $30.26 | $242.11 |
| Median (P50) | $35.74 | $285.91 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.56 | $372.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $62.99 | $503.91 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in San Diego
Based on $35.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $35.74/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in San Diego, CA can expect to earn approximately $74,336 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $42,886. With a cost-of-living index of 111.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in San Diego.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in San Diego
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,429.54 | $6,195 | $74,336 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $857.72 | $3,717 | $44,602 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $571.82 | $2,478 | $29,734 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (San Diego) | $35.74 |
| 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 San Diego, CA earn a median of $74,337 per year (2026 est.), which is 13.65% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 13.40% above the California state average of $65,553.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $35.74/hr = $44,602/year (purchasing power: $39,863).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $74,336/year (purchasing power: $66,438).
CoL index: 111.887 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.56/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$34.86/hr
2026 Current Est.
$35.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+37.9%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in San Diego (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.56/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.63/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.44/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.82/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $31.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $34.86/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $35.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $36.64/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in San Diego grew 31.3% from $26.56/hr (2019) to $34.86/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $36.64/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 San Diego 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 San Diego
Part-time plumbers who work 24 hours a week can expect to take home about $44,580 annually, a decent income, albeit less than what full-time plumbers earn. The per diem plumber pay in San Diego is often enhanced by additional daily allowances ranging from $100 to $175 for out-of-town projects, beyond their hourly rate of $40 to $65. This can significantly increase overall earnings for pipefitters or steamfitters engaged in industrial work. Employers vary widely in their compensation structures—unionized contractors like those affiliated with the UA typically offer better hourly rates, while self-employed plumbers may earn upward of $100 to $180 per hour but have the trade-off of lacking health benefits. Negotiating pay requires understanding these distinctions, with plumbers being savvy about the benefits and drawbacks of potential employers. With the rising demand due to an aging infrastructure and workforce in San Diego, there are ample opportunities but also the need for strategic career planning to optimize earnings.
More salary data for San Diego, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the hourly rate for plumbers in San Diego in 2026?
How much do part-time plumbers make in San Diego?
Are plumbers in San Diego paid hourly or salary?
How much does a full-time plumber make per year in San Diego?
Do plumbers earn more per hour working part-time in San Diego?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 San Diego. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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