Plumber Salary in Upland, CA: $63,373 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Upland, CA earns a median $63,373/year (≈ $30.47/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Upland's price level (13% above national, BEA RPP 113.1), that paycheck buys what $56,033 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 3.3% below the California state average.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Upland, CA, a plumber’s annual earnings in 2026 are projected to reach a median of $63,373. This figure reflects a range that spans from $44,013 at the lower end to $98,227 at the upper end. Comparatively, this local median falls below the national figure of $65,408, indicating a slight pay gap. These estimates are derived from BLS state-level data, adjusted for regional price differences. Within Upland's market, union pipefitters tend to dominate the higher pay scale, emphasizing the significant premium associated with union membership and specialized skills.
About the Upland Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $44,013 | $21.16 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $49,692 | $23.89 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $63,373 | $30.47 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $81,117 | $39.00 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $98,227 | $47.22 |
Median Salary Position
3.11% below the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Upland
In Upland, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $54,214 (2026 est.). At $63,373, the local median is 3.11% below the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Upland: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Upland Plumber Pay Compares
Upland median: $63,373/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Upland Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,535 | -3.30% less |
| National Average | $65,408 | -3.11% less |
Plumbers in Upland, CA earn a median of $63,373 per year (2026 est.), which is 3.11% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 3.30% below the California state average of $65,535.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Upland has a cost of living 13.10% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Upland, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.1 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $63,373 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $56,033 — a 11.58% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$53,444
2025 BLS Actual
$61,815
2026 Current Est.
$63,373
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Upland (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $53,444 | Actual |
| 2020 | $54,577 | Actual |
| 2021 | $58,017 | Actual |
| 2022 | $58,220 | Actual |
| 2023 | $59,635 | Actual |
| 2024 | $89,688 | Actual |
| 2025 | $61,815 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $63,373 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $64,970 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Upland metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 15.7% from $53,444 (2019) to $61,815 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $64,970 by 2027 — a total increase of $11,526 (21.57%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Upland 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) | $44,013 – $49,692 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $49,692 – $63,373 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $63,373 – $81,117 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $81,117 – $98,227 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Upland
Employment opportunities for plumbers in Upland are limited, with only 18 currently employed in this trade. Coupled with a cost-of-living index of 113.1, it becomes evident that take-home pay may effectively stretch thinner for local workers. Employers vary in their compensation strategies; union plumbing contractors offer the highest wages, significantly outpacing non-union service providers and those in light commercial roles. Factors that contribute to the disparities in pay include the level of specialization, with medical gas certifications and advanced licenses commanding higher salaries. Strategies to maximize earnings in this market may involve pursuing advanced certifications, seeking union affiliation, or exploring self-employment opportunities, particularly for those targeting the higher-margin specialty work.
More salary data for Upland, 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 $61,815 for plumbersin the Upland 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 Upland 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