Plumber Salary in San Rafael, CA: $66,487 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in San Rafael, CA earns a median $66,487/year (≈ $31.97/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in San Rafael's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,786 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, plumbers in San Rafael, California are anticipated to earn a median annual salary of $66,487, which represents a slight increase over the national average of $65,408. Salaries can vary significantly, ranging from $46,167 at the 10th percentile to $103,055 at the 90th percentile. These projections are informed by estimates derived from 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments. This market offers competitive earnings, especially for those who specialize in high-demand areas such as medical gas installation or industrial piping. Given the increasing need for plumbing professionals in aging infrastructure, the job market in San Rafael seems poised for stable growth and higher-than-average compensation opportunities.
About the San Rafael Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,167 | $22.20 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,976 | $24.98 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,487 | $31.97 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $85,104 | $40.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $103,055 | $49.55 |
Median Salary Position
1.65% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in San Rafael
In San Rafael, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $56,888 (2026 est.). At $66,487, the local median is 1.65% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in San Rafael: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How San Rafael Plumber Pay Compares
San Rafael median: $66,487/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | San Rafael Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,505 | +1.50% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +1.65% more |
Plumbers in San Rafael, CA earn a median of $66,487 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.65% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.50% above the California state average of $65,505.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
San Rafael has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
San Rafael, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,487 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,786 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$56,070
2025 BLS Actual
$64,853
2026 Current Est.
$66,487
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in San Rafael (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $56,070 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,260 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,868 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,082 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,566 | Actual |
| 2024 | $94,095 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,853 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,487 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $68,163 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the San Rafael metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $56,070 (2019) to $64,853 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $68,163 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,093 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the San Rafael 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) | $46,167 – $51,976 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,976 – $66,487 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,487 – $85,104 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $85,104 – $103,055 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in San Rafael
In terms of local employment dynamics, there are currently 11 plumbers employed in San Rafael, which suggests a tight-knit community of professionals. The area's cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that while salaries may be higher, so are living expenses, which can impact purchasing power. Plumbers seeking higher pay might consider affiliations with union plumbing contractors, especially those tied to the United Association, as they typically offer wages 30-50% higher than non-union counterparts. Opportunities in specialized sectors, like industrial maintenance teams or hospital plumbing, which demand advanced credentials, can also lead to increased earnings. For those pursuing self-employment or working with service companies such as Roto-Rooter, understanding commission structures and maximizing overtime will be critical strategies for enhancing their income in the competitive San Rafael CA market.
More salary data for San Rafael, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in San Rafael, CA in 2026?
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Can plumbers make $100K in San Rafael?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in San Rafael?
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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 $64,853 for plumbersin the San Rafael 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 San Rafael 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