Plumber Salary in Richmond, CA: $66,771 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Richmond, CA earns a median $66,771/year (≈ $32.10/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Richmond's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $59,037 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.9% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Richmond, California, the projected median annual salary for plumbers in 2026 is set at $66,771, reflecting a competitive edge over the national median of $65,408. This city exhibits a salary range extending from $43,578 at the 10th percentile to $103,496 at the 90th percentile, indicating significant earning variations within the profession. These figures are derived from 2025 BLS data and modified to account for regional cost factors, underscoring the differentiation in pay based on experience, skill specialization, and union affiliation. Notably, union pipefitters, particularly those associated with the United Association, command higher wages—often 30-50% more than their non-union counterparts—highlighting an important feature of Richmond's job market for plumbing professionals.
About the Richmond Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,578 | $20.96 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,413 | $24.24 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,771 | $32.10 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,467 | $41.09 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,496 | $49.75 |
Median Salary Position
2.08% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Richmond
In Richmond, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $59,918 (2026 est.). At $66,771, the local median is 2.08% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Richmond: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Richmond Plumber Pay Compares
Richmond median: $66,771/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Richmond Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,526 | +1.90% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +2.08% more |
Plumbers in Richmond, CA earn a median of $66,771 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.08% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.90% above the California state average of $65,526.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Richmond has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Richmond, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,771 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $59,037 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,310
2025 BLS Actual
$65,130
2026 Current Est.
$66,771
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Richmond (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,310 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,504 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,128 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,343 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,833 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,497 | Actual |
| 2025 | $65,130 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,771 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,454 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Richmond metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $56,310 (2019) to $65,130 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,454 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,144 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Richmond 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) | $43,578 – $50,413 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,413 – $66,771 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,771 – $85,467 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,467 – $103,496 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Richmond
With 25 plumbers currently employed in the Richmond area, local job availability plays a crucial role in shaping compensation. The area's cost of living index sits at 113.1, indicating higher living expenses that directly impact take-home pay and purchasing power for workers. Among employers, union contractors generally provide the highest wages, while service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS often offer variable earnings through commission structures. The disparity in wages can also be attributed to differentiation in specialty skills, such as medical gas installation and backflow prevention, where mastery commands premium compensation. For those seeking to maximize plumber pay in Richmond, pursuing additional certifications, focusing on high-demand specialties, and considering union membership for enhanced wage potential can be effective strategies to improve overall earnings in a steadily growing market projected to expand at an annual growth rate of 2.52%.
More salary data for Richmond, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Richmond, CA in 2026?
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Can plumbers make $100K in Richmond?
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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 $65,130 for plumbersin the Richmond 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 Richmond 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