Plumber Salary in South Gate, CA: $64,551 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in South Gate, CA earns a median $64,551/year (≈ $31.03/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in South Gate's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $57,074 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.5% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In 2026, the plumber salary in South Gate, California is projected to reach a median annual figure of $64,551, slightly trailing the national median of $65,408. Salaries for plumbers in the area demonstrate a diverse range; they can start as low as $46,706 at the 10th percentile, with experienced plumbers earning up to $100,053 at the 90th percentile. These estimates, derived from BLS state-level data and adjusted for regional price variations, reflect the specific demands and specialties within the industry, particularly for roles involving medical gas, industrial piping, or underground utility work. The South Gate job market presents significant opportunities for skilled tradespeople as the need for plumbing professionals continues to grow, especially given the aging infrastructure and skilled workforce demographics.
About the South Gate Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $46,706 | $22.45 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $50,610 | $24.33 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,551 | $31.03 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,625 | $39.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $100,053 | $48.10 |
Median Salary Position
1.31% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in South Gate
In South Gate, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,347 (2026 est.). At $64,551, the local median is 1.31% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in South Gate: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How South Gate Plumber Pay Compares
South Gate median: $64,551/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | South Gate Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,534 | -1.50% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -1.31% less |
Plumbers in South Gate, CA earn a median of $64,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.31% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.50% below the California state average of $65,534.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
South Gate has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
South Gate, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,551 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,074 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,437
2025 BLS Actual
$62,964
2026 Current Est.
$64,551
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in South Gate (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,437 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,592 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,095 | Actual |
| 2022 | $59,303 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,743 | Actual |
| 2024 | $91,356 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,964 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,551 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $66,177 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the South Gate metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $54,437 (2019) to $62,964 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $66,177 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,740 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the South Gate 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) | $46,706 – $50,610 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $50,610 – $64,551 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,551 – $82,625 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,625 – $100,053 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in South Gate
In the competitive labor market of South Gate, currently employing 25 plumbers, understanding the cost-of-living implications is crucial for future earnings. With a cost of living index of 113.1, workers in the region find that salary figures must stretch further to maintain a certain lifestyle. Among industry employers, union plumbing contractors, particularly UA signatories, offer the most lucrative pay due to their higher wage scales compared to non-union counterparts, which can often lag behind by 30-50%. Plumbers specializing in critical areas such as medical gas or those with a master contractor license may also see increased earnings. The wage distribution indicates that many positions offer commissions or overtime that can substantially affect take-home pay. For those looking to maximize their plumber pay in South Gate, pursuing additional certifications related to high-demand specialties and seeking out union apprenticeship programs may be advisable strategies in this evolving market.
More salary data for South Gate, 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 $62,964 for plumbersin the South Gate 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 South Gate 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