Plumber Salary in Berkeley, CA: $65,776 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Berkeley, CA earns a median $65,776/year (≈ $31.63/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Berkeley's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,157 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.4% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
For plumbers in Berkeley, California, the median annual salary is projected at $65,776 in 2026, reflecting a slight advantage over the national median of $65,408. The local salary range for this trade spans from $46,536 at the 10th percentile to $101,952 at the 90th percentile, highlighting significant income potential for experienced professionals. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional cost factors, as Berkeley's cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating a higher expenditure compared to the national average. Specialties such as medical gas installation and industrial plumbing can offer considerable premium wages, setting the stage for lucrative career opportunities in this specialized field.
About the Berkeley Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,536 | $22.37 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,394 | $25.19 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,776 | $31.63 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,194 | $40.47 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,952 | $49.01 |
Median Salary Position
0.56% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Berkeley
In Berkeley, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,416 (2026 est.). At $65,776, the local median is 0.56% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Berkeley: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Berkeley Plumber Pay Compares
Berkeley median: $65,776/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Berkeley Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,514 | +0.40% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +0.56% more |
Plumbers in Berkeley, CA earn a median of $65,776 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.56% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.40% above the California state average of $65,514.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Berkeley has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Berkeley, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,776 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,157 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,470
2025 BLS Actual
$64,159
2026 Current Est.
$65,776
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Berkeley (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,470 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,647 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,217 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,428 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,896 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,089 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,159 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,776 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,433 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Berkeley metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,470 (2019) to $64,159 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,433 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,963 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Berkeley 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $46,536 – $52,394 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,394 – $65,776 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,776 – $84,194 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,194 – $101,952 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Berkeley
Examining the local job market, there are 23 plumbers currently employed in Berkeley, creating a competitive environment with numerous opportunities ahead. The elevated cost of living can impact take-home pay, making it essential for plumbing professionals to be strategic in their career choices. Top-paying employers in the area typically include union plumbing contractors, which offer compelling benefits and can pay significantly more than their non-union counterparts. The wage disparity often hinges on the differences between union and non-union employment, with specialized skills in fields like medical gas or industrial plumbing commanding higher pay. To optimize earnings in Berkeley, plumbers should consider pursuing union membership, obtaining additional certifications, or transitioning into high-demand niches such as industrial maintenance, making sure to leverage any applicable commission structures efficiently during service calls.
More salary data for Berkeley, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $64,159 for plumbersin the Berkeley metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Berkeley 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