Plumber Salary

Alhambra vs Los Angeles: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Alhambra, CA and Los Angeles, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Alhambra, CA
$64,572
$31.04/hr
Los Angeles, CA
$72,902
$35.05/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricAlhambra, CALos Angeles, CA
Median Salary$64,572$72,902
Hourly Rate$31.04$35.05
Entry Level (P10)$47,020$47,251
25th Percentile$52,065$60,036
75th Percentile$82,653$103,853
Top Earner (P90)$100,087$128,232
Total Employed1315,690
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Alhambra ($64,572) and Los Angeles ($72,902) plumber salaries.AlhambraLos AngelesMedian Salary$64,572$72,902Entry Level (P10)$47,020$47,251Top Earner (P90)$100,087$128,232US Median $65,408

Verdict

Los Angeles, CA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Alhambra.

The salary gap between Alhambra and Los Angeles is $8,330 (12.90%). Los Angeles's median is +11.46% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Alhambra spans $53,067,Los Angeles spans $80,981. Los Angeles has a wider pay range, suggesting more variation in pay between entry-level and experienced plumbers.

Alhambra
P10 (Entry)$47,020
P25$52,065
Median$64,572
P75$82,653
P90 (Top)$100,087
Los Angeles
P10 (Entry)$47,251
P25$60,036
Median$72,902
P75$103,853
P90 (Top)$128,232

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Los Angeles ($64,194 effective) pays 12.44% more than Alhambra ($57,093 effective).

Alhambra
Nominal: $64,572
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $57,093
Los Angeles
Nominal: $72,902
CoL Index: 113.566
Adjusted: $64,194

Cost-of-living adjustment: salary × (100 / CoL index). Index of 100 = national average.

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Alhambra if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Los Angeles if…

  • Higher median salary ($72,902/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($128,232)
  • Larger job market (15,690 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $64,194)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Alhambra grew -31.1% from 2024 to 2025, compared to 40.6% growth in Los Angeles over the same period.

Alhambra, CA

+-31.1%

$91,385 (2024) → $62,985 (2025)

Los Angeles, CA

+40.6%

$50,580 (2019) → $71,110 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Alhambra or Los Angeles?

Los Angeles has a higher median plumber salary at $72,902/year, compared to Alhambra at $64,572/year — a difference of $8,330 (12.90%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Alhambra and Los Angeles?

Alhambra plumbers earn $31.04/hr while Los Angeles hygienists earn $35.05/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Alhambra to Los Angeles as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Alhambra and Los Angeles. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Alhambra = $57,093, Los Angeles = $64,194), job availability (13 vs 15,690 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Alhambra vs Los Angeles?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,020 in Alhambra and $47,251 in Los Angeles. The Los Angeles area offers higher starting salaries.

Related Comparisons

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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.

Clinically reviewed by Aisha Patel, CWPData verified by Michael Chen, CWP

Methodology & Data Source

All salary figures are 2026 projections based on BLS OEWS May 2025 data. A 2.52% CAGR (derived from 6-year national BLS trends) was applied to estimate current compensation. Cost-of-living adjustments use BEA Regional Price Parity data. Actual salaries vary by employer, certifications, and experience.

Data Sources & Methodology

Source: BLS, OEWS , released .

Compiled and verified by Samuel Torres, CWP, a licensed plumber with 10+ years of clinical experience. · View source data at BLS.gov