Plumber Salary in Irvine, CA: $68,072 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Irvine, CA earns a median $68,072/year (≈ $32.72/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Irvine's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $60,187 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Irvine, California, will see a projected median annual salary of $68,072, which surpasses the national median by 4.07%. The salary range for plumbers in this region spans from $46,320 for the lowest 10% to $105,512 for the highest 10%, reflecting a diverse job market that may include specialties such as medical gas installations and industrial pipefitting. These local estimates are derived from BLS state-level data and incorporate adjustments for regional price parities, illustrating that the compensation structure acknowledges the unique demands of the job. Given the ongoing expansion in Irvine, coupled with the aging infrastructure and workforce of plumbers, the likelihood of sustained demand for services suggests a favorable job market for skilled plumbing professionals.
About the Irvine Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,320 | $22.27 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $53,086 | $25.52 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $68,072 | $32.72 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $87,133 | $41.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $105,512 | $50.73 |
Median Salary Position
4.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Irvine
In Irvine, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,192 (2026 est.). At $68,072, the local median is 4.07% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Irvine: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Irvine Plumber Pay Compares
Irvine median: $68,072/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Irvine Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,517 | +3.90% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +4.07% more |
Plumbers in Irvine, CA earn a median of $68,072 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.07% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 3.90% above the California state average of $65,517.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Irvine has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Irvine, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $68,072 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $60,187 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$57,407
2025 BLS Actual
$66,399
2026 Current Est.
$68,072
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Irvine (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $57,407 | Actual |
| 2020 | $58,625 | Actual |
| 2021 | $62,319 | Actual |
| 2022 | $62,538 | Actual |
| 2023 | $64,057 | Actual |
| 2024 | $96,339 | Actual |
| 2025 | $66,399 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $68,072 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $69,788 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Irvine metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $57,407 (2019) to $66,399 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $69,788 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,381 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Irvine 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) | $46,320 – $53,086 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $53,086 – $68,072 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $68,072 – $87,133 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $87,133 – $105,512 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Irvine
Irvine's plumbing sector employs approximately 72 plumbers, pointing to a competitive environment that may lead to varying wages. The cost of living index in Irvine stands at 113.1, indicating a higher-than-average expense for residents, thus impacting take-home purchasing power. Among the employers in the area, union plumbing contractors affiliated with the United Association (UA) generally offer the highest pay, reflecting the significant premium earned by union pipefitters compared to non-union counterparts. The wage spread can be attributed to various factors such as specialty training in medical gas and backflow prevention, lucrative commission structures in service plumbing roles, and the potential for overtime. Aspiring plumbers looking to maximize their earnings should consider obtaining additional licensure, gaining experience in high-demand specialties, and exploring opportunities with well-established service companies or unions in order to capitalize on the diverse avenues for income within Irvine's robust plumbing market.
More salary data for Irvine, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Related Pages
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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 $66,399 for plumbersin the Irvine 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 Irvine 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