Plumber Hourly Pay in South Gate, CA: $31.03 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in South Gate, CA runs $31.03 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,551 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against South Gate's regional price level (BEA RPP 113.1, 13% above national), each hour of work buys what $27.44 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,729 per year.
Based on BLS state-level estimates · View source
In South Gate, California, the plumber hourly pay averages $31.03, which is slightly lower than the national median of $31.45. For part-time workers, often putting in three days a week, this rate translates to approximately $1,164 for a 24-hour workweek, allowing for flexible scheduling in a profession that frequently serves residential customers through service calls or works on various projects within commercial and industrial settings. With an hourly range from $22.45 for entry-level positions to around $48.10 for top earners, skilled plumbers can often find lucrative opportunities in diverse work environments, including manufacturing plants and specialized medical gas systems. These projected figures for 2026 are derived from annual salary estimates, making them a useful benchmark for those assessing their future potential in this field.
About the South Gate 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) | $22.45 | $179.62 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $24.33 | $194.62 |
| Median (P50) | $31.03 | $248.26 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.73 | $317.81 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.10 | $384.82 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in South Gate
Based on $31.03/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.03/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in South Gate, CA can expect to earn approximately $64,548 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,239. With a cost-of-living index of 113.10 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in South Gate.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in South Gate
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,241.31 | $5,379 | $64,548 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.79 | $3,227 | $38,729 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.52 | $2,152 | $25,819 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (South Gate) | $31.03 |
| 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 South Gate, CA earn a median of $64,551 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.31% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.50% below the California state average of $65,534.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.03/hr = $38,729/year (purchasing power: $34,243).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,548/year (purchasing power: $57,072).
CoL index: 113.1 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$26.17/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.27/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.03/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+21.6%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in South Gate (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $26.17/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $26.73/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $28.41/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $28.51/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $29.20/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $43.92/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.27/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.03/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.81/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in South Gate grew 15.7% from $26.17/hr (2019) to $30.27/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.81/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 South Gate 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 South Gate
Looking deeper into the hourly dynamics, a part-time plumber working in South Gate could realistically earn around $61,368 annually if they maintain consistent 24-hour work weeks, a figure that can fall short compared to full-time colleagues earning significantly more annually. Per diem plumbers, particularly those working on remote industrial projects, frequently see pay rates ranging from $40 to $65 per hour, plus daily stipends of $100-$175, making this an appealing option for those willing to travel. Unionized plumbers often enjoy higher wage premiums, alongside benefits, making them competitive against non-union rates which might be lower initially but lack lucrative healthcare benefits. Negotiation remains crucial, especially in a city like South Gate where different employer types, such as local service plumbing firms and large chains, can offer vastly different pay structures. Many plumbers must weigh their willingness to accept lower hourly pay for the security of health benefits versus the potential for higher hourly earnings in more precarious job situations.
More salary data for South Gate, 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 South Gate. 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 South Gate 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