Plumber Hourly Pay in Fresno, CA: $31.74 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Fresno, CA runs $31.74 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $66,023 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Fresno's regional price level (BEA RPP 102.2, 2% above national), each hour of work buys what $31.07 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,612 per year.
Official BLS data · View source
In 2026, Fresno's plumbers earn a median hourly pay of $31.74, slightly above the national median of $31.45. This competitive rate allows plumbers to thrive whether they work part-time in various settings such as residential service calls, industrial construction sites, or even hospital mechanical rooms that require specialized skills like medical gas installation. For those working on a part-time schedule of three days a week, translating that hourly pay into weekly earnings reveals potential for substantial income, while per-diem opportunities can further enhance earnings for plumbers willing to travel. The hourly pay range for plumbers in Fresno spans from $22.96 for entry-level positions to $61.26 for top earners, offering various pathways for professionals depending on skill level and experience.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.96 | $183.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $25.28 | $202.25 |
| Median (P50) | $31.74 | $253.92 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $45.99 | $367.92 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $61.26 | $490.05 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Fresno
Based on $31.74/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.74/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Fresno, CA can expect to earn approximately $66,020 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $38,088. With a cost-of-living index of 102.16 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Fresno.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Fresno
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,269.61 | $5,502 | $66,020 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $761.76 | $3,301 | $39,612 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $507.84 | $2,201 | $26,408 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Fresno) | $31.74 |
| 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 Fresno, CA earn a median of $66,023 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.94% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 0.80% above the California state average of $65,499.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.74/hr = $39,612/year (purchasing power: $38,775).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $66,020/year (purchasing power: $64,625).
CoL index: 102.158 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$23.11/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.96/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.74/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+40.8%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Fresno (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $23.11/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $24.37/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.65/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.06/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.96/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.80/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.96/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.74/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.54/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Fresno grew 34.0% from $23.11/hr (2019) to $30.96/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.54/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 Fresno 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 Fresno
When looking at the earning potential for a part-time plumber in Fresno working 24 hours a week, they could take home around $39,802 annually, which may be attractive but often falls short compared to the income of full-time workers. For those in specialized roles or willing to travel, such as per diem plumbers or pipefitters, pay can escalate dramatically to as much as $100-$175 per day plus a base rate of $40-$65 per hour. Different employer types also influence earnings; union members affiliated with the United Association frequently receive better hourly rates—30-50% higher than their non-union counterparts. Additionally, many self-employed plumbers in high cost of living areas can claim effective rates of $100-$180 per hour. As skills like hydraulic systems knowledge and certifications in backflow prevention become more critical, those negotiable aspects add value to a plumber's hourly pay in Fresno, making it essential to communicate these qualifications during salary negotiations with both union and non-union employers.
More salary data for Fresno, 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 Fresno. 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