Plumber Hourly Pay in Santa Ana, CA: $33.38 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Santa Ana, CA runs $33.38 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $69,432 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Santa Ana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.51 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $41,659 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Santa Ana, California, the plumber hourly pay stands at a median of $33.38, notably surpassing the national median of $31.45. This competitive hourly rate provides part-time workers, especially those on three-day work weeks, with a robust earning potential. For a typical part-time schedule of 24 hours weekly, such plumbers could earn around $43,000 annually, highlighting the financial viability of part-time work in diverse settings such as residential service calls and industrial construction. Entry-level plumbers may start around $21.27 per hour, while seasoned professionals or those in specialized roles could see hourly wages reaching up to $51.74. These estimates are derived from annual salary data for 2026 projections, reflecting the dynamics and growing demand for plumbing services within the region.
About the Santa Ana 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) | $21.27 | $170.18 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.85 | $198.81 |
| Median (P50) | $33.38 | $267.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $42.73 | $341.84 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $51.74 | $413.93 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Santa Ana
Based on $33.38/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $33.38/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Santa Ana, CA can expect to earn approximately $69,431 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $40,057. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Santa Ana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Santa Ana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,335.22 | $5,786 | $69,431 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $801.13 | $3,472 | $41,659 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $534.09 | $2,314 | $27,773 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Santa Ana) | $33.38 |
| 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 Santa Ana, CA earn a median of $69,432 per year (2026 est.), which is 6.15% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 6.00% above the California state average of $65,502.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $33.38/hr = $41,659/year (purchasing power: $36,834).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $69,431/year (purchasing power: $61,389).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$28.15/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$32.56/hr
2026 Current Est.
$33.38/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Santa Ana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $28.15/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.75/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.56/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.67/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $31.41/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $47.24/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $32.56/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $33.38/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $34.22/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Santa Ana grew 15.7% from $28.15/hr (2019) to $32.56/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $34.22/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 Santa Ana 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 Santa Ana
Beyond the standard hourly rates, the earning potential for part-time and per-diem plumbers can vary widely. For example, part-time plumbers who work three days a week can take home significant amounts, but the dynamics shift for those taking on per-diem work. Travel pipefitters or steamfitters working on out-of-town industrial projects typically earn $40-$65 per hour, plus daily per-diem rates that can range from $100 to $175. Self-employed plumbers in Santa Ana often charge between $100 and $180 per hour, particularly in high-cost-of-living situations. Different employer types also play a role in hourly pay; union plumbing contractors (UA members) often earn 30-50% more than their non-union counterparts, a consideration for those weighing hourly wages against benefits. Knowing the local job market and negotiating effectively can lead to better hourly rates, especially when considering the balance between higher wages and the security of benefits like health insurance.
More salary data for Santa Ana, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 Santa Ana. 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 Santa Ana 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