Plumber Hourly Pay in Fontana, CA: $32.77 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Fontana, CA runs $32.77 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $68,147 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Fontana's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $28.97 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $40,891 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
Plumbers in Fontana, CA, are projected to earn a median hourly pay of $32.77 in 2026, which is substantially higher than the national median of $31.45. This hourly rate can significantly benefit part-time workers, such as those who might choose to work three days a week, offering them a flexible schedule while earning a solid income on service calls or construction sites. The hourly pay range for plumbers in the area is estimated from $20.90 for entry-level positions to $50.78 for top earners, enabling individuals at various stages of their careers to participate in this skilled trade. These rates reflect the varied nature of plumbing work, from residential service calls to more intense commercial and industrial settings, providing opportunities for both self-employed contractors and employees of larger firms.
About the Fontana Market
Salary estimated from California average ($82,000) adjusted for local cost of living.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $20.90 | $167.23 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.41 | $195.28 |
| Median (P50) | $32.77 | $262.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $41.94 | $335.53 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $50.78 | $406.23 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fontana
Based on $32.77/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $32.77/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fontana, CA can expect to earn approximately $68,152 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $39,318. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fontana.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fontana
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,310.62 | $5,679 | $68,152 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $786.37 | $3,408 | $40,891 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $524.25 | $2,272 | $27,261 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Fontana) | $32.77 |
| 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 Fontana, CA earn a median of $68,147 per year (2026 est.), which is 4.19% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 4.00% above the California state average of $65,526.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $32.77/hr = $40,891/year (purchasing power: $36,155).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $68,152/year (purchasing power: $60,258).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$27.63/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$31.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$32.77/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Fontana (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $27.63/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $28.22/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $30.00/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $30.10/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $30.83/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $46.37/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $31.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $32.77/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $33.59/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Fontana grew 15.7% from $27.63/hr (2019) to $31.96/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $33.59/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 Fontana 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 Fontana
Examining the part-time earning potential, a plumber in Fontana working 24 hours a week would gross around $40,000 annually, a considerable sum compared to full-time peers. Additionally, per diem plumbers often find themselves on out-of-town projects, commanding daily rates that can range from $100 to $175 on top of their hourly base rate between $40 and $65. Companies that dispatch service plumbers typically charge call-out fees ranging from $150 to $300, which can further boost a plumber's earnings. It's also important to understand how trade-offs in employer types can impact wages; unionized positions under the UA generally pay 30-50% more than non-union companies. While some plumbers might opt for the security of health benefits offered by certain employers, others could pursue higher hourly wages without benefits. For those negotiating hourly rates in Fontana, understanding local market conditions and emphasizing specialized skills like medical gas certification can be effective strategies.
More salary data for Fontana, 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 Fontana. Part-time and full-time income estimates assume consistent weekly hours and do not account for overtime, benefits, or seasonal variation.
Data Sources & Methodology
Salary data for Fontana 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