Plumber Salary in Murrieta, CA: $65,394 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Murrieta, CA earns a median $65,394/year (≈ $31.44/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Murrieta's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $57,820 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, a plumber salary in Murrieta, California, is projected to reach a median annual wage of $65,394, closely aligning with the national median of $65,408. While local estimates indicate a salary range between $45,937 at the 10th percentile and $101,362 at the 90th percentile, the compensation landscape reflects a pronounced divide between union and non-union workers. The UA union pipefitters generally command a more considerable premium in pay, often earning 30-50% more than their non-union counterparts, who primarily work in service plumbing. This distinction is significant in a market like Murrieta, where service and new construction sectors coexist, and can influence overall employment opportunities and earnings for licensed professionals.
About the Murrieta Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,937 | $22.08 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,643 | $24.83 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,394 | $31.44 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,705 | $40.24 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,362 | $48.73 |
Median Salary Position
0.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Murrieta
In Murrieta, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $55,425 (2026 est.). At $65,394, the local median is 0.02% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Murrieta: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Murrieta Plumber Pay Compares
Murrieta median: $65,394/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Murrieta Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,525 | -0.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -0.02% less |
Plumbers in Murrieta, CA earn a median of $65,394 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.02% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 0.20% below the California state average of $65,525.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Murrieta has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Murrieta, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,394 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,820 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,149
2025 BLS Actual
$63,787
2026 Current Est.
$65,394
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Murrieta (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,149 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,319 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,078 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,537 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,549 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,787 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,394 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,042 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Murrieta metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,149 (2019) to $63,787 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,042 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,893 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Murrieta 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) | $45,937 – $51,643 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,643 – $65,394 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,394 – $83,705 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,705 – $101,362 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Murrieta
Currently, approximately 25 plumbers are employed in the Murrieta area, contributing to a competitive local job market despite a higher cost of living index of 113.1. This cost-of-living figure suggests reduced purchasing power for workers, making it crucial for plumbers to maximize their earnings. Employers that typically pay the most include UA contract signatories and specialized fields such as medical gas plumbing. The wide salary range reported here can be attributed to various factors, including specialization, the level of licensing (master or contractor), or whether employed by large service companies like Roto-Rooter or self-employed. To secure better pay, it is beneficial for plumbers to pursue skills in high-demand areas, gain certifications, and consider union membership, which can enhance earning potential and job stability in the evolving Murrieta market.
More salary data for Murrieta, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Murrieta, CA in 2026?
Is Murrieta, CA a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Murrieta?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Murrieta?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Murrieta?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $63,787 for plumbersin the Murrieta 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 Murrieta 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