Plumber Salary in San Francisco, CA: $79,843 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in San Francisco, CA earns a median $79,843/year (≈ $38.38/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in San Francisco's price level (16% above national, BEA RPP 115.6), that paycheck buys what $69,061 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 21.8% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Plumbers in San Francisco earn a median annual salary of $79,843 in 2026, reflecting a significant premium compared to the national benchmark of $65,408. The full salary range stretches from $49,763 at the 10th percentile to $159,244 at the 90th percentile, indicating a diverse market landscape. These estimates, derived from the 2025 BLS OEWS data projected to 2026, show strong compensation driven by the city's high demand for skilled plumbing professionals. Particularly for those with niche certifications in medical gas or industrial plumbing, the potential for upward mobility is notable, as employers seek specialists to maintain and upgrade aging infrastructure.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $49,763 | $23.93 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $64,229 | $30.88 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $79,843 | $38.38 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $124,839 | $60.02 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $159,244 | $76.56 |
Median Salary Position
22.07% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Francisco
In San Francisco, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $109,481 (2026 est.). At $79,843, the local median is 22.07% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Francisco: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Francisco Plumber Pay Compares
San Francisco median: $79,843/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Francisco Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,552 | +21.80% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +22.07% more |
Plumbers in San Francisco, CA earn a median of $79,843 per year (2026 est.), which is 22.07% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 21.80% above the California state average of $65,552.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Francisco has a cost of living 15.61% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Francisco, CA has a cost-of-living index of 115.613 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $79,843 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $69,061 — a 13.5% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$77,800
2025 BLS Actual
$77,880
2026 Current Est.
$79,843
2019–2027 Growth
+5.2%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in San Francisco (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $77,800 | Actual |
| 2020 | $110,880 | Actual |
| 2021 | $78,820 | Actual |
| 2022 | $76,930 | Actual |
| 2023 | $75,840 | Actual |
| 2024 | $71,700 | Actual |
| 2025 | $77,880 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $79,843 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $81,855 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Francisco metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 0.1% from $77,800 (2019) to $77,880 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $81,855 by 2027 — a total increase of $4,055 (5.21%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Francisco 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) | $49,763 – $64,229 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $64,229 – $79,843 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $79,843 – $124,839 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $124,839 – $159,244 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in San Francisco
In San Francisco, approximately 5,660 plumbers are employed, indicating a robust job market buoyed by the area's growing infrastructure needs. With a cost of living index of 115.613, the city's expenses can erode take-home pay, highlighting the importance of securing higher salaries. Employers offering the best pay include union plumbing contractors affiliated with the United Association (UA), which typically offer 30-50% higher wages than non-union counterparts. Specialty work—especially in medical gas or backflow prevention—can command premium rates, while service plumbing at large firms like Roto-Rooter offers a commission structure that can lead to variable but lucrative pay. Aspiring plumbers should consider obtaining additional licenses and pursuing work in high-demand areas to maximize their earning potential in the competitive San Francisco market.
More salary data for San Francisco, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $77,880 for plumbersin the San Francisco 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
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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