Plumber Salary in Tulare, CA: $66,206 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Tulare, CA earns a median $66,206/year (≈ $31.83/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Tulare's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,538 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 1.0% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tulare, California, the plumber salary is notable, with an anticipated median annual compensation of $66,206 in 2026. This figure exceeds the national median for plumbers, which stands at $65,408. The salary range for plumbers in the area varies significantly, from $45,515 at the 10th percentile to a high of $102,619 at the 90th percentile. These estimates are informed by state-level data and regional cost adjustments, underscoring the impact of both union and non-union pay scales on local earnings. The dominance of the UA union pipefitters, who often command a substantial wage premium for their specialized skills compared to non-union service plumbers, clearly shapes the compensation dynamics in Tulare's plumbing market.
About the Tulare Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,515 | $21.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,413 | $24.72 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $66,206 | $31.83 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,744 | $40.74 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $102,619 | $49.33 |
Median Salary Position
1.22% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tulare
In Tulare, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,104 (2026 est.). At $66,206, the local median is 1.22% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tulare: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tulare Plumber Pay Compares
Tulare median: $66,206/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tulare Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,551 | +1.00% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +1.22% more |
Plumbers in Tulare, CA earn a median of $66,206 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.22% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 1.00% above the California state average of $65,551.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tulare has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tulare, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $66,206 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,538 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,834
2025 BLS Actual
$64,579
2026 Current Est.
$66,206
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Tulare (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,834 | Actual |
| 2020 | $57,018 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,611 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,824 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,302 | Actual |
| 2024 | $93,699 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,579 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $66,206 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,875 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tulare metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,834 (2019) to $64,579 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,875 by 2027 — a total increase of $12,041 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tulare 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) | $45,515 – $51,413 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,413 – $66,206 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $66,206 – $84,744 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,744 – $102,619 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Tulare
The local job market for plumbers is relatively stable, with 17 plumbers currently employed in Tulare. However, the cost of living index at 113.1 indicates that expenses can be higher than the national average, impacting take-home purchasing power. Among local employers, union plumbing contractors tend to offer the most competitive wages, while non-union and open-shop contractors, often reliant on residential and light commercial projects, typically offer lower pay. Factors influencing the salary spread include specialty certifications such as medical gas and backflow prevention, which carry higher value, as well as the presence of commission structures in service companies that can lead to variable income levels. For those looking to maximize their potential earnings in Tulare, pursuing union affiliations or acquiring specialized credentials can be advantageous paths, especially in a market where union wages can exceed their non-union counterparts by 30-50%.
More salary data for Tulare, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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Can plumbers make $100K in Tulare?
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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 $64,579 for plumbersin the Tulare 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 Tulare 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