Plumber Salary in Union City, CA: $65,677 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Union City, CA earns a median $65,677/year (≈ $31.58/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Union City's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $58,070 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 0.2% above the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Union City, California, the projected median annual plumber salary in 2026 reaches $65,677, slightly above the national median of $65,408. The salary range for plumbers in the area spans from $44,360 at the 10th percentile to $101,800 at the 90th percentile, reflecting the varying demand and skills present within the profession. These figures, informed by 2025 BLS data and regional price adjustments, highlight the opportunities available for plumbers with specialized credentials, particularly in high-demand areas such as medical gas installation or industrial piping. Union City’s job market is characterized by its focus on expertise, with a mix of local contractors needing skilled plumbers, setting the stage for competitive compensation.
About the Union City Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,360 | $21.32 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $52,861 | $25.41 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $65,677 | $31.58 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $84,067 | $40.41 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $101,800 | $48.94 |
Median Salary Position
0.41% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Union City
In Union City, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $57,440 (2026 est.). At $65,677, the local median is 0.41% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Union City: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Union City Plumber Pay Compares
Union City median: $65,677/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Union City Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,546 | +0.20% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +0.41% more |
Plumbers in Union City, CA earn a median of $65,677 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.41% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.20% above the California state average of $65,546.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Union City has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Union City, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $65,677 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $58,070 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$55,387
2025 BLS Actual
$64,063
2026 Current Est.
$65,677
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Union City (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $55,387 | Actual |
| 2020 | $56,562 | Actual |
| 2021 | $60,127 | Actual |
| 2022 | $60,338 | Actual |
| 2023 | $61,804 | Actual |
| 2024 | $92,949 | Actual |
| 2025 | $64,063 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $65,677 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $67,332 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Union City metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $55,387 (2019) to $64,063 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $67,332 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,945 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Union City 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) | $44,360 – $52,861 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $52,861 – $65,677 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $65,677 – $84,067 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $84,067 – $101,800 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Union City
As of now, there are 11 plumbers employed in Union City, which underscores a stable yet potentially tight job market. The local cost of living index stands at 113.1, indicating that expenses are higher than the national average, which directly impacts take-home pay. Plumbing positions at union contractors, especially those affiliated with the United Association, tend to offer higher wages due to better benefits compared to non-union roles. The disparity in earnings can be attributed to varying factors, including union versus non-union wages, specializations in plumbing, and the skills required for different types of work, from residential service to industrial maintenance. Plumbers aiming to optimize earnings in Union City should consider obtaining master and contractor licenses, pursuing specialties that are in demand, and exploring employment with service firms that offer competitive commission structures, thus better positioning themselves within this evolving local job market.
More salary data for Union City, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
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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 $64,063 for plumbersin the Union City 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 Union City 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