Plumber Hourly Pay in Gilroy, CA: $31.51 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Gilroy, CA runs $31.51 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $65,558 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Gilroy's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.86 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $39,330 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In Gilroy, California, the plumber hourly pay reaches a median rate of $31.51, slightly exceeding the national hourly median of $31.45. This competitive rate is favorable for part-time plumbers working on a schedule of three days a week, allowing them to earn significant income while maintaining flexibility. In various settings, such as residential service calls, industrial projects, or commercial construction sites, the reported hourly range for plumbers goes from $21.19 for entry-level positions to up to $48.85 for top earners. The figures used here are derived from annual salary data, reflecting a robust demand for skilled plumbing professionals in the region.
About the Gilroy 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) | $21.19 | $169.53 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.10 | $192.82 |
| Median (P50) | $31.51 | $252.12 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $40.34 | $322.73 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.85 | $390.81 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Gilroy
Based on $31.51/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.51/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Gilroy, CA can expect to earn approximately $65,550 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,818. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Gilroy.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Gilroy
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,260.59 | $5,463 | $65,550 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $756.35 | $3,278 | $39,330 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $504.23 | $2,185 | $26,220 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Gilroy) | $31.51 |
| 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 Gilroy, CA earn a median of $65,558 per year (2026 est.), which is 0.23% higher than the national median of $65,408.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.51/hr = $39,330/year (purchasing power: $34,775).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $65,550/year (purchasing power: $57,958).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.58/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.74/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.51/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Gilroy (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.58/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $27.14/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.85/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.95/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.66/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $44.61/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.74/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.51/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $32.31/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Gilroy grew 15.7% from $26.58/hr (2019) to $30.74/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $32.31/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 Gilroy 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 Gilroy
Part-time plumbers in Gilroy, working an average of 24 hours per week, may take home nearly $39,096 annually, which is attractive compared to full-time opportunities. Per-diem workers, such as pipefitters on out-of-town projects, can earn substantial additional pay, often receiving $100 to $175 per day on top of a base hourly rate between $40 and $65. Self-employed plumbers often command even higher rates, with effective earnings of $100 to $180 per hour in higher-cost markets. Moreover, hourly rates can differ significantly based on employer types; union contractors may offer benefits but at potentially lower pay than self-employed plumbers who work without a safety net. This dynamic creates trade-offs as plumbers consider the security of health insurance against higher pay rates. Knowing how to negotiate effectively for hourly positions is crucial, as demand for plumbing skills continues to grow alongside an aging workforce in Gilroy.
More salary data for Gilroy, 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 Gilroy. 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 Gilroy 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