Plumber Salary

Sacramento vs Union City: Plumber Salary (2026)

Compare plumber salaries between Sacramento, CA and Union City, CA. All figures are 2026 estimates projected from BLS 2025 data.

Sacramento, CA
$66,853
$32.14/hr
Union City, CA
$65,677
$31.58/hr

Side-by-Side Comparison

MetricSacramento, CAUnion City, CA
Median Salary$66,853$65,677
Hourly Rate$32.14$31.58
Entry Level (P10)$47,795$44,360
25th Percentile$57,739$52,861
75th Percentile$87,491$84,067
Top Earner (P90)$134,404$101,800
Total Employed3,12011
Side-by-side bar chart comparing Sacramento ($66,853) and Union City ($65,677) plumber salaries.SacramentoUnion CityMedian Salary$66,853$65,677Entry Level (P10)$47,795$44,360Top Earner (P90)$134,404$101,800US Median $65,408

Verdict

Sacramento, CA offers better overall compensation for plumbers, winning 4 out of 4 metrics compared to Union City.

The salary gap between Sacramento and Union City is $1,176 (1.79%). Sacramento's median is +2.21% compared to the US national median of $65,408.

Salary Range Comparison

The full salary range (10th to 90th percentile) in Sacramento spans $86,609,Union City spans $57,440. Sacramento has a wider pay range, meaning more potential for high earners but also more variation.

Sacramento
P10 (Entry)$47,795
P25$57,739
Median$66,853
P75$87,491
P90 (Top)$134,404
Union City
P10 (Entry)$44,360
P25$52,861
Median$65,677
P75$84,067
P90 (Top)$101,800

Cost-of-Living Adjusted Comparison

After cost-of-living adjustment, Sacramento ($62,673 effective) pays 7.93% more than Union City ($58,070 effective).

Sacramento
Nominal: $66,853
CoL Index: 106.67
Adjusted: $62,673
Union City
Nominal: $65,677
CoL Index: 113.1
Adjusted: $58,070

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

Which City Is Right for You?

Choose Sacramento if…

  • Higher median salary ($66,853/year)
  • Better top-earner potential ($134,404)
  • Larger job market (3,120 employed)
  • Better purchasing power (CoL-adjusted: $62,673)
  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Choose Union City if…

  • You prefer the California area and lifestyle

Historical Salary Growth Comparison

Based on BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, plumber salaries in Sacramento grew 13.4% from 2019 to 2025, compared to -31.1% growth in Union City over the same period.

Sacramento, CA

+13.4%

$57,480 (2019) → $65,210 (2025)

Union City, CA

+-31.1%

$92,949 (2024) → $64,063 (2025)

View Full Salary Data

Frequently Asked Questions

Which city pays plumbers more: Sacramento or Union City?

Sacramento has a higher median plumber salary at $66,853/year, compared to Union City at $65,677/year — a difference of $1,176 (1.79%).

What is the hourly rate difference between Sacramento and Union City?

Sacramento plumbers earn $32.14/hr while Union City hygienists earn $31.58/hr (2026 est.).

Should I relocate from Sacramento to Union City as a plumber?

Consider more than just salary when comparing Sacramento and Union City. Factor in cost of living (CoL-adjusted: Sacramento = $62,673, Union City = $58,070), job availability (3,120 vs 11 employed), commute, and career growth potential.

What do entry-level plumbers earn in Sacramento vs Union City?

Entry-level (10th percentile) plumbers earn $47,795 in Sacramento and $44,360 in Union City. The Sacramento 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