Plumber Salary in Chico, CA: $62,260 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Chico, CA earns a median $62,260/year (≈ $29.94/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Chico's price level (1% above national, BEA RPP 101.2), that paycheck buys what $61,524 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 5.0% below the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In Chico, California, the projected median salary for a plumber in 2026 is $62,260, a figure that falls slightly below the national average of $65,408. This salary reflects a range from $48,369 for the lowest 10% of earners up to $102,038 for the top 10%. These figures are based on 2025 BLS OEWS data, projected to 2026, capturing both employed plumbers and those operating as self-employed contractors. The decision between working for a service company or striking out on one's own can significantly impact earnings potential, as established contractors often reap higher profits but may face fluctuating workloads.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $48,369 | $23.25 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,311 | $24.67 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $62,260 | $29.94 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,769 | $40.28 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,038 | $49.06 |
Median Salary Position
4.81% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Chico
In Chico, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,669 (2026 est.). At $62,260, the local median is 4.81% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Chico: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Chico Plumber Pay Compares
Chico median: $62,260/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Chico Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,537 | -5.00% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -4.81% less |
Plumbers in Chico, CA earn a median of $62,260 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.81% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 5.00% below the California state average of $65,537.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Chico has a cost of living 1.20% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Chico, CA has a cost-of-living index of 101.197 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $62,260 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $61,524 — a 1.18% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$39,850
2025 BLS Actual
$60,730
2026 Current Est.
$62,260
2019–2027 Growth
+60.2%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Chico (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $39,850 | Actual |
| 2020 | $69,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $57,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $57,840 | Actual |
| 2023 | $57,360 | Actual |
| 2024 | $57,920 | Actual |
| 2025 | $60,730 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $62,260 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $63,829 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Chico metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 52.4% from $39,850 (2019) to $60,730 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $63,829 by 2027 — a total increase of $23,979 (60.17%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Chico 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) | $48,369 – $51,311 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,311 – $62,260 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $62,260 – $83,769 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,769 – $102,038 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Chico
The job market in Chico consists of approximately 180 plumbers, with a cost-of-living index of 101.197, indicating that expenses are slightly above the national average. This index means that while plumbers may earn a strong wage, their purchasing power could be somewhat constrained by local living costs. Key employers in the area include both union plumbing contracts, which generally offer higher pay scales due to collective bargaining, and non-union contractors, who may provide different compensation structures depending on demand and job type. Factors such as specialization in medical gas systems or industrial pipefitting tend to yield higher wages, while those involved in general service plumbing work face greater competition. To maximize earnings in Chico, obtaining state plumbing licensing and pursuing additional certifications can provide a competitive edge, especially in specialty areas where skilled labor is in high demand.
More salary data for Chico, 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 $60,730 for plumbersin the Chico 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
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