Plumber Salary in Poway, CA: $64,498 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Poway, CA earns a median $64,498/year (≈ $31.01/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Poway's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $57,027 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.6% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in Poway, California can anticipate a median annual salary of $64,498, which reflects a slight decrease compared to the national median of $65,408. The salary range for this occupation in the area spans from $45,158 at the lower end (10th percentile) to $99,972 at the higher end (90th percentile), indicating that there's potential for significant income variation based on experience, specialty, and employment type. These figures are derived from data based on 2025 BLS estimates, adjusted for local economic factors such as the cost of living. For those plumbers specializing in high-demand fields such as medical gas installation and industrial piping, achieving earnings exceeding the median is more attainable, bolstering overall salary expectations in Poway's plumbing sector.
About the Poway Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,158 | $21.71 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,892 | $25.42 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,498 | $31.01 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,558 | $39.70 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,972 | $48.06 |
Median Salary Position
1.39% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Poway
In Poway, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,814 (2026 est.). At $64,498, the local median is 1.39% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Poway: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Poway Plumber Pay Compares
Poway median: $64,498/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Poway Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,547 | -1.60% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -1.39% less |
Plumbers in Poway, CA earn a median of $64,498 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.39% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.60% below the California state average of $65,547.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Poway has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Poway, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,498 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,027 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,393
2025 BLS Actual
$62,913
2026 Current Est.
$64,498
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Poway (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,393 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,547 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,047 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,255 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,694 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,280 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,913 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,498 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,124 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Poway metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $54,393 (2019) to $62,913 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,124 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,731 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Poway 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) | $45,158 – $52,892 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,892 – $64,498 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,498 – $82,558 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,558 – $99,972 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Poway
The job market for plumbers in Poway is relatively small, with only eight plumbers currently employed in the area, which may indicate a niche environment with limited competition. The cost of living in Poway, reflected by a CoL index of 113.1, suggests that while plumbers may earn decent wages, their purchasing power can be impacted more than in other regions with lower living costs. Employers that tend to offer the highest pay often include union plumbing contractors affiliated with the United Association, as well as industrial maintenance teams and large service companies like Roto-Rooter. The disparity in salaries among plumbers can be attributed to various factors including union benefits, the specialties they possess—such as master licensing for ownership capabilities—and whether they work in commercial, residential, or industrial sectors. For those looking to maximize their earnings in Poway, pursuing specialty certifications, obtaining advanced licenses, and considering opportunities with commission-based service companies can lead to improved financial outcomes.
More salary data for Poway, 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 $62,913 for plumbersin the Poway 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 Poway 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