Plumber Salary in Fresno, CA: $66,023 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Fresno, CA earns a median $66,023/year (≈ $31.74/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Fresno's price level (2% above national, BEA RPP 102.2), that paycheck buys what $64,628 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Fresno, California are projected to earn a median annual salary of $66,023, which slightly surpasses the national median of $65,408, reflecting a growing demand for skilled labor in the region. With a salary range spanning from $47,764 at the 10th percentile to $127,412 at the 90th percentile, the market demonstrates substantial variability based on experience, specific skills, and employment type. This data, derived from authoritative BLS OEWS surveys, indicates the influence of union affiliations and specialties within the plumbing field. Notably, union pipefitters often command higher wages due to collective bargaining agreements that typically provide a premium over non-union service plumbers. In this competitive environment, Fresno's job market is increasingly robust, drawing talent to meet the area's expanding infrastructure needs.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,764 | $22.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,593 | $25.28 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,023 | $31.74 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $95,661 | $45.99 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $127,412 | $61.26 |
Median Salary Position
0.94% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Fresno
In Fresno, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $79,648 (2026 est.). At $66,023, the local median is 0.94% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Fresno: You'd be in the entry-level range
How Fresno Plumber Pay Compares
Fresno median: $66,023/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Fresno Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,499 | +0.80% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +0.94% more |
Plumbers in Fresno, CA earn a median of $66,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.94% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.80% above the California state average of $65,499.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Fresno has a cost of living 2.16% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Fresno, CA has a cost-of-living index of 102.158 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,023 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,628 — a 2.11% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$48,080
2025 BLS Actual
$64,400
2026 Current Est.
$66,023
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $48,080 | Actual |
| 2020 | $50,690 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,590 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,450 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,230 | Actual |
| 2024 | $61,990 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,400 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,023 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,687 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Fresno metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 33.9% from $48,080 (2019) to $64,400 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,687 by 2027 — a total increase of $19,607 (40.78%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Fresno 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) | $47,764 – $52,593 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,593 – $66,023 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,023 – $95,661 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $95,661 – $127,412 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Fresno
In assessing the plumbing job market in Fresno, approximately 970 plumbers are currently employed, reflecting a steady demand for their expertise. However, the cost of living index in the area, set at 102.158, suggests that while salaries are competitive, purchasing power may be somewhat constrained by rising living costs. Employers such as union plumbing contractors within the United Association, and larger service companies like Roto-Rooter or ARS/Rescue Rooter, often offer the most lucrative opportunities. The pay disparity stems from various factors, notably the union vs. non-union divide and the presence of specialties such as medical gas installations. Individuals looking to maximize their pay should consider acquiring additional certifications or licenses, including master and contractor licenses, and focusing on high-demand specialties, as these can significantly enhance income potential within the Fresno CA plumbing sector.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 $64,400 for plumbersin the Fresno 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