Plumber Salary in Costa Mesa, CA: $65,844 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Costa Mesa, CA earns a median $65,844/year (≈ $31.66/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Costa Mesa's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,218 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Costa Mesa, California, the ongoing competition between union and non-union plumbers notably shapes the earnings landscape. With a projected median annual salary of $65,844 in 2026, plumbers here enjoy a slightly higher pay than their national counterparts, whose median is $65,408. The salary range for local plumbers spans from $45,072 at the 10th percentile to $102,059 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial earning potential based on experience and skill level. Estimates are based on 2025 BLS data, adjusted for regional price parities, reflecting the area's unique economic dynamics. The distinction between union pipefitters and non-union service plumbers is particularly pronounced, with union members typically earning significant premiums due to higher demand and specialized training requirements.
About the Costa Mesa Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,072 | $21.67 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,103 | $24.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,844 | $31.66 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,281 | $40.52 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,059 | $49.07 |
Median Salary Position
0.67% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Costa Mesa
In Costa Mesa, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,987 (2026 est.). At $65,844, the local median is 0.67% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Costa Mesa: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Costa Mesa Plumber Pay Compares
Costa Mesa median: $65,844/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Costa Mesa Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,517 | +0.50% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +0.67% more |
Plumbers in Costa Mesa, CA earn a median of $65,844 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.67% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.50% above the California state average of $65,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Costa Mesa has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Costa Mesa, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,844 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,218 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,528
2025 BLS Actual
$64,226
2026 Current Est.
$65,844
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Costa Mesa (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,528 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,706 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,280 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,491 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,961 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,186 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,226 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,844 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,504 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Costa Mesa metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,528 (2019) to $64,226 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,504 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,976 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Costa Mesa 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) | $45,072 – $51,103 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,103 – $65,844 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,844 – $84,281 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,281 – $102,059 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Costa Mesa
A total of 23 plumbers currently work in Costa Mesa, pointing to a niche market with steady potential for employment. However, the cost of living in the city sits at a CoL index of 113.1, impacting overall take-home purchasing power for plumbers. Among the various employers in the area, union plumbing contractors affiliated with the United Association often provide the highest wages, while self-employed plumbers and large service companies can also offer competitive pay depending on the nature of the work—residential versus industrial projects. The disparity in earnings is often a result of specialization; those skilled in areas such as medical gas installation or industrial pipefitting tend to command higher salaries. To enhance earning potential, aspiring plumbers should focus on obtaining necessary certifications, considering their best fit within the market, and exploring opportunities in unionized settings where higher wage structures are more prevalent.
More salary data for Costa Mesa, 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 $64,226 for plumbersin the Costa Mesa 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 Costa Mesa 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