Plumber Salary in Huntington Beach, CA: $65,759 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Huntington Beach, CA earns a median $65,759/year (≈ $31.62/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Huntington Beach's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,142 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Huntington Beach, California, the projected median pay for plumbers in 2026 stands at $65,759, slightly exceeding the national median of $65,408. Local plumbers can expect a salary range from $46,697 at the 10th percentile to $101,927 at the 90th percentile. These figures, derived from 2025 BLS data adjusted for regional price parity, reflect a competitive job market influenced by the city's economic conditions and the transition between employed service roles and self-employed contracting work. With the cost of living index at 113.1, those entering the plumbing field in Huntington Beach must consider how their earnings align with the local economic reality.
About the Huntington Beach Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,697 | $22.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,362 | $25.18 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,759 | $31.62 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,172 | $40.46 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,927 | $49.00 |
Median Salary Position
0.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Huntington Beach
In Huntington Beach, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,230 (2026 est.). At $65,759, the local median is 0.54% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Huntington Beach: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Huntington Beach Plumber Pay Compares
Huntington Beach median: $65,759/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Huntington Beach Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,563 | +0.30% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +0.54% more |
Plumbers in Huntington Beach, CA earn a median of $65,759 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.54% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.30% above the California state average of $65,563.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Huntington Beach has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Huntington Beach, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,759 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,142 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,457
2025 BLS Actual
$64,143
2026 Current Est.
$65,759
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Huntington Beach (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,457 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,633 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,202 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,413 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,881 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,066 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,143 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,759 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,417 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Huntington Beach metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,457 (2019) to $64,143 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,417 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,960 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Huntington Beach 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) | $46,697 – $52,362 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,362 – $65,759 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,759 – $84,172 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,172 – $101,927 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Huntington Beach
As there are approximately 50 plumbers employed in Huntington Beach, the job market shows moderate strength, but potential earnings can vary widely based on the specific sector. Union contractors, particularly those aligned with the United Association, tend to offer higher wages, often providing a premium of 30-50% over non-union counterparts. Additionally, factors such as specialization in medical gas or backflow prevention can drive up income potential significantly. Given the cost of living, which surpasses the national average, plumbers need to strategize to maximize their earnings. Exploring opportunities with larger service companies like Roto-Rooter or ARS may present avenues for commission-based income, even though it carries inherent variability. For those considering self-employment, understanding the nuances of overhead costs and client acquisition will be critical in achieving favorable financial outcomes in the Huntington Beach market.
More salary data for Huntington Beach, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Huntington Beach, CA in 2026?
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Can plumbers make $100K in Huntington Beach?
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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 $64,143 for plumbersin the Huntington Beach 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 Huntington Beach 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