Plumber Salary in Tustin, CA: $65,464 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Tustin, CA earns a median $65,464/year (≈ $31.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Tustin's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $57,882 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.1% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Tustin, California, the projected 2026 median annual plumber salary stands at $65,464, slightly above the national figure of $65,408. This market features a salary range from $43,605 at the 10th percentile to $101,469 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varied opportunities for plumbers in the area. These figures are drawn from estimates based on 2025 BLS data and incorporate regional cost adjustments, indicating a robust demand for plumbing services. The competitive nature of this job market is driven in part by the presence of union pipefitters, who tend to earn 30-50% more than their non-union counterparts, predominantly in service roles within Tustin.
About the Tustin Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $43,605 | $20.97 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,937 | $24.01 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,464 | $31.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $83,794 | $40.29 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,469 | $48.78 |
Median Salary Position
0.09% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Tustin
In Tustin, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,864 (2026 est.). At $65,464, the local median is 0.09% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Tustin: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Tustin Plumber Pay Compares
Tustin median: $65,464/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Tustin Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,530 | -0.10% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | +0.09% more |
Plumbers in Tustin, CA earn a median of $65,464 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.09% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.10% below the California state average of $65,530.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Tustin has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Tustin, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,464 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $57,882 — a 11.58% reduction.
Compare Purchasing Power
Select a city to see how your salary compares after cost of living
Select a city above to compare purchasing power
2019 BLS Actual
$55,208
2025 BLS Actual
$63,855
2026 Current Est.
$65,464
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Tustin (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,208 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,379 | Actual |
| 2021 | $59,932 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,142 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,603 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,648 | Actual |
| 2025 | $63,855 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,464 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,114 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Tustin metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,208 (2019) to $63,855 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,114 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,906 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Tustin 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) | $43,605 – $49,937 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,937 – $65,464 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,464 – $83,794 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $83,794 – $101,469 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Tustin
The local plumbing job market employs about 18 professionals, indicating a tight-knit community amidst growing demand. Tustin's cost of living index of 113.1 suggests that while salaries are competitive, expenses are higher than the national average, impacting purchasing power. Employers known for better pay include union plumbing contractors, especially members of the UA, and larger service companies such as Roto-Rooter and ARS/Rescue Rooter. Factors driving the salary spread range from the distinction between residential service plumbing and specialty areas like medical gas plumbing to the benefits of holding a master license or contractor status. Plumbers looking to maximize their earnings should consider focusing on niche specialties and securing union affiliations, as these avenues can lead to significantly higher pay in Tustin's plumbing sector.
More salary data for Tustin, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Tustin, CA in 2026?
Is Tustin, CA a good place to work as a plumber?
Can plumbers make $100K in Tustin?
What is the cost-of-living adjusted plumber salary in Tustin?
How much does a plumber make per hour in Tustin?
Related Pages
Compare Salaries
Career Resources
Nearby Cities in California
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 $63,855 for plumbersin the Tustin 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 Tustin 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