Plumber Hourly Pay in Bakersfield, CA: $32.76 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Bakersfield, CA runs $32.76 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,125 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Bakersfield's regional price level (BEA RPP 100.9, 1% above national), each hour of work buys what $32.47 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,878 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In Bakersfield, California, the plumber hourly pay averages around $32.76, which is notably higher than the national hourly median of $31.45. For part-time plumbers working three days a week, this rate translates to a substantial income potential, especially given the varied employment settings, from residential service calls to commercial construction sites. Entry-level professionals can expect to earn around $22.51 per hour, while top earners might see rates as high as $58.08. This official Bureau of Labor Statistics data highlights the dynamic nature of the plumbing profession in Bakersfield, where opportunities arise not only in homes but also in specialized environments such as hospital mechanical rooms and manufacturing plants.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.51 | $180.11 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $26.89 | $215.13 |
| Median (P50) | $32.76 | $262.04 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $46.24 | $369.89 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $58.08 | $464.62 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Bakersfield
Based on $32.76/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.76/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Bakersfield, CA can expect to earn approximately $68,131 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,306. With a cost-of-living index of 100.89 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Bakersfield.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Bakersfield
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,310.21 | $5,678 | $68,131 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.12 | $3,407 | $40,878 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.08 | $2,271 | $27,252 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Bakersfield) | $32.76 |
| Electrician (National Avg) | $31.97 |
| HVAC Technician (National Avg) | $28.47 |
| Pipefitter / Steamfitter (National Avg) | $32.85 |
| Construction Laborer (National Avg) | $22.95 |
Plumbers in Bakersfield, CA earn a median of $68,125 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.15% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 4.00% above the California state average of $65,504.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.76/hr = $40,878/year (purchasing power: $40,519).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,131/year (purchasing power: $67,532).
CoL index: 100.886 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$25.71/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.95/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.76/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+30.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Bakersfield (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $25.71/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.34/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.62/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.30/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $34.31/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.95/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.76/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.58/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Bakersfield grew 24.3% from $25.71/hr (2019) to $31.95/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.58/hr by 2027. Part-time and per-diem plumbers can use this multi-year trend to benchmark future contract negotiations.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Bakersfield 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.
Working as an Hourly Plumber in Bakersfield
Focusing on the potential earnings for part-time and per-diem work in this field reveals a nuanced picture. A plumber working 24 hours weekly at the $32.76 per hour rate would take home approximately $40,000 annually, a solid figure compared to full-time wages. Per diem plumbers, particularly those on out-of-town projects, can expect daily pay ranging from $100 to $175, with an hourly base of $40 to $65, making their earnings even more lucrative when factoring in travel stipends. Various employer types influence hourly wages too; union contractors often pay a premium, while self-employed plumbers might earn more but without benefits. This trade-off between lower hourly rates with substantial benefits and higher rates that lack health coverage is a critical consideration for plumbers in Bakersfield. Understanding these dynamics can assist professionals in negotiating their hourly rates effectively in this competitive job market.
More salary data for Bakersfield, 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
Hourly wage figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), derived from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to estimate current 2026 hourly rates for plumbers in Bakersfield. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Source: BLS, OEWS, 7-year dataset (–). Per-city data from annual BLS metropolitan area surveys.
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