Plumber Salary in Brea, CA: $62,174 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Brea, CA earns a median $62,174/year (≈ $29.89/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Brea's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $54,973 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Brea, California, the projected median annual plumber salary for 2026 is $62,174. This figure is slightly below the national median of $65,408, indicating a competitive yet modest local job market. Salary estimates range from $44,844 at the 10th percentile to $96,370 at the 90th percentile, reflecting various levels of experience, specialization, and employment conditions. These numbers are derived from state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, essential for understanding the purchasing power in this area. For plumbers, achieving specialties such as medical gas or industrial installations can elevate earnings significantly, often demanding higher wages aligned with skills that are less commonly available.
About the Brea Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,844 | $21.56 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,598 | $23.85 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,174 | $29.89 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $79,583 | $38.26 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $96,370 | $46.33 |
Median Salary Position
4.94% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Brea
In Brea, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $51,526 (2026 est.). At $62,174, the local median is 4.94% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Brea: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Brea Plumber Pay Compares
Brea median: $62,174/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Brea Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,516 | -5.10% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -4.94% less |
Plumbers in Brea, CA earn a median of $62,174 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.94% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 5.10% below the California state average of $65,516.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Brea has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Brea, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,174 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $54,973 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$52,433
2025 BLS Actual
$60,646
2026 Current Est.
$62,174
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Brea (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $52,433 | Actual |
| 2020 | $53,545 | Actual |
| 2021 | $56,920 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,119 | Actual |
| 2023 | $58,507 | Actual |
| 2024 | $87,991 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,646 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,174 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,741 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Brea metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $52,433 (2019) to $60,646 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,741 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,308 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Brea 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) | $44,844 – $49,598 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,598 – $62,174 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,174 – $79,583 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $79,583 – $96,370 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Brea
The local plumbing job market in Brea comprises approximately 10 employed plumbers, a modest figure that shapes a tight-knit professional community. With a cost-of-living index of 113.1, the region's expenses exceed the national average, impacting take-home pay and purchasing power for plumbers. Local employers vary widely in pay structures, with union contractors generally providing higher wages compared to non-union counterparts, where plumbers often earn based on commission. Many top-paying roles are found with union plumbing entities like the UA, as well as government utilities and large service companies that may require varying specialties, including medical gas certifications. Factors such as skill set, employer type, and industry demand—especially for experienced workers able to navigate both commercial and residential requirements—create a wide gap in salaries. To maximize earnings, plumbers in Brea should consider pursuing certifications in high-demand areas and networking within union circles to access better-paying opportunities.
More salary data for Brea, 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
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 $60,646 for plumbersin the Brea 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 Brea 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