Plumber Salary in Turlock, CA: $64,084 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Turlock, CA earns a median $64,084/year (≈ $30.81/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Turlock's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $56,661 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 2.2% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Turlock, California, the 2026 projected median annual salary for plumbers sits at $64,084, slightly below the national median of $65,408. Offering a salary range from $45,827 to $99,331, the local plumbing market reflects a variety of opportunities depending on experience and area of specialization. Data derived from 2025 BLS state-level information and adjusted for regional cost factors highlight that prospective plumbers must consider the trade-offs between self-employment as independent contractors and traditional employment paths in service. With the lower end of the scale attributed to entry-level positions or those in less specialized roles, the job market for plumbers in Turlock displays an encouraging future, influenced by regional demand and the skills required in the industry.
About the Turlock Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $45,827 | $22.03 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $51,093 | $24.56 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $64,084 | $30.81 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $82,028 | $39.44 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $99,331 | $47.75 |
Median Salary Position
2.02% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Turlock
In Turlock, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $53,504 (2026 est.). At $64,084, the local median is 2.02% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Turlock: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Turlock Plumber Pay Compares
Turlock median: $64,084/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Turlock Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,526 | -2.20% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -2.02% less |
Plumbers in Turlock, CA earn a median of $64,084 per year (2026 est.), which is 2.02% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 2.20% below the California state average of $65,526.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Turlock has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Turlock, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $64,084 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,661 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$54,044
2025 BLS Actual
$62,509
2026 Current Est.
$64,084
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Turlock (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $54,044 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,190 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,668 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,874 | Actual |
| 2023 | $60,305 | Actual |
| 2024 | $90,694 | Actual |
| 2025 | $62,509 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $64,084 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $65,699 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Turlock metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $54,044 (2019) to $62,509 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $65,699 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,655 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Turlock 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) | $45,827 – $51,093 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $51,093 – $64,084 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $64,084 – $82,028 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $82,028 – $99,331 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Turlock
The plumber job market in Turlock employs around 17 individuals, signaling a modest yet steady demand in the area. The local cost of living index is at 113.1, which indicates a relatively higher expense compared to the national average, thus impacting the overall purchasing power for those in the trades. Among employers, union plumbing contractors typically offer the most competitive compensation, often outpacing non-union service providers through premium wages linked to specialized skills like medical gas installation and backflow prevention. The discrepancy in pay levels arises from various factors, including the mastery of additional licenses, commission structures at larger service companies, and overtime opportunities. For plumbers seeking to maximize their income, focusing on specialty certifications or exploring self-employment may lead to higher returns in this evolving market.
More salary data for Turlock, 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 $62,509 for plumbersin the Turlock 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 Turlock 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