Plumber Salary in Ontario, CA: $66,415 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Ontario, CA earns a median $66,415/year (≈ $31.93/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Ontario's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,722 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.3% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Ontario, California, see a median annual salary projected at $66,415, slightly above the national median of $65,408, a mere 1.54% difference. The earnings spectrum in the region ranges from $44,096 at the 10th percentile to as high as $102,942 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the various roles and qualifications within the plumbing field. Local estimates derived from 2025 BLS data indicate that self-employment can be lucrative but comes with costs such as benefits and job security, making the decision to navigate the contractor route versus joining a service company or union a significant one. Understanding this economic landscape is crucial for prospective plumbers, as it shapes career choices and earning potential within Ontario’s job market.
About the Ontario Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,096 | $21.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,511 | $24.29 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,415 | $31.93 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,011 | $40.87 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,942 | $49.50 |
Median Salary Position
1.54% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Ontario
In Ontario, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $58,846 (2026 est.). At $66,415, the local median is 1.54% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Ontario: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Ontario Plumber Pay Compares
Ontario median: $66,415/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Ontario Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,562 | +1.30% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +1.54% more |
Plumbers in Ontario, CA earn a median of $66,415 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.54% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.30% above the California state average of $65,562.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Ontario has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Ontario, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,415 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,722 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,009
2025 BLS Actual
$64,782
2026 Current Est.
$66,415
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Ontario (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,009 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,197 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,802 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,015 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,497 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,932 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,782 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,415 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,088 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Ontario metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $56,009 (2019) to $64,782 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,088 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,079 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Ontario 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) | $44,096 – $50,511 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,511 – $66,415 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,415 – $85,011 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,011 – $102,942 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Ontario
With only 42 plumbers employed in the area, the local job market demonstrates some competition, especially when combined with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, suggesting that residual earnings might not go as far as in lower-cost areas. Employers such as UA signatories, non-union residential contractors, industrial maintenance teams, and service companies like Roto-Rooter offer significantly different pay scales. Union positions often yield the highest earnings, thanks to collective bargaining agreements that can command wages 30-50% higher than non-union counterparts. The disparity in pay also arises from specialization; fields like medical gas installation demand advanced credentials, allowing for increased compensation. Plumbing professionals in Ontario looking to maximize their pay should consider obtaining additional certifications and exploring opportunities in specialized sectors or union contracts, aligning their skill sets with market demands and tapping into higher-paying positions within the province.
More salary data for Ontario, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Ontario, CA in 2026?
Is Ontario, CA a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Ontario?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Ontario?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Ontario?
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 $64,782 for plumbersin the Ontario 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 Ontario 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