Plumber Hourly Pay in Stockton, CA: $31.00 (2026)
Quick Answer:Hourly pay for a plumber working in Stockton, CA runs $31.00 at the median for 2026 — annualizing to $64,485 at a standard 2,080-hour year. Figures projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Weighted against Stockton's regional price level (BEA RPP 105.1, 5% above national), each hour of work buys what $29.50 nationally would. A 24-hour part-time schedule grosses $38,691 per year.
Official BLS data · View source

Plumber hourly pay in Stockton, California, is projected to be $31.00 in 2026, which is slightly below the national median hourly rate of $31.45. This rate is significant for part-time workers who might operate on a 3-day workweek, translating to an annual income of approximately $48,192 for 24 hours of work each week. The hourly rate allows for flexibility in various work settings, whether it be residential service calls, commercial construction sites, or specialized medical gas installations. For new entrants to the field, pay starts around $22.98 per hour, while experienced professionals can earn as much as $48.76 hourly. These figures are based on official Bureau of Labor Statistics data, reflecting the diversity within the plumbing industry.
Plumber Hourly Wage Breakdown
| Percentile | Hourly Rate | Per 8hr Shift |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $22.98 | $183.88 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $28.81 | $230.46 |
| Median (P50) | $31.00 | $248.02 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $39.49 | $315.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $48.76 | $390.07 |
Estimated Annual Income by Work Schedule in Stockton
Based on $31.00/hr median hourly rate · 2026 est.
At $31.00/hr, a plumber working full-time (40 hr/wk) in Stockton, CA can expect to earn approximately $64,484 per year (2026 est.). Part-time hygienists working 24 hours per week would earn around $37,202. With a cost-of-living index of 105.09 (above the national average), these earnings may be offset by higher expenses in Stockton.
Hourly Rate Calculator
Schedule Comparison in Stockton
| Schedule | Weekly | Monthly | Annual |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-Time (40 hrs) | $1,240.08 | $5,374 | $64,484 |
| Part-Time (24 hrs) | $744.05 | $3,224 | $38,691 |
| Per Diem (16 hrs) | $496.03 | $2,149 | $25,794 |
Compare Plumber Wages With Similar Roles
| Role | Median Hourly |
|---|---|
| Plumber (Stockton) | $31.00 |
| 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 Stockton, CA earn a median of $64,485 per year (2026 est.), which is 1.41% lower than the national median of $65,408 and 1.60% below the California state average of $65,534.
Plumber Hourly Pay vs. Cost of Living
Working 24h/week at $31.00/hr = $38,691/year (purchasing power: $36,817).
Working 40h/week (full-time) = $64,484/year (purchasing power: $61,362).
CoL index: 105.089 (100 = national average).
2019 BLS Actual
$34.01/hr
2025 BLS Actual
$30.24/hr
2026 Current Est.
$31.00/hr
2019–2027 Growth
+-6.5%
Hourly Rate Trajectory for Plumbers in Stockton (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Hourly Rate | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $34.01/hr | Actual |
| 2020 | $37.46/hr | Actual |
| 2021 | $29.95/hr | Actual |
| 2022 | $29.76/hr | Actual |
| 2023 | $28.58/hr | Actual |
| 2024 | $29.79/hr | Actual |
| 2025 | $30.24/hr | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $31.00/hr | Estimated |
| 2027 | $31.78/hr | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS metropolitan area data, the median hourly rate for plumbers in Stockton grew -11.1% from $34.01/hr (2019) to $30.24/hr (2025). At a 2.52% projected growth rate, hourly pay is expected to reach $31.78/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 Stockton 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 Stockton
Analyzing the hourly earnings shows that part-time plumbers focusing on service calls can expect to net a solid income, albeit significantly less than full-timers. Those opting for per-diem work, particularly traveling pipefitters on industrial projects, often earn between $100-$175 daily on top of their base compensation that can range from $40-$65 per hour. Service plumbing typically includes call-out fees of $150-$300, and self-employed plumbers might command effective rates between $100-$180 per hour in high-cost regions. Employers in Stockton vary, from union shops offering premium rates due to UA affiliations to non-union contractors with variable pay structures. While some plumbers may accept lower hourly wages for the benefits associated with union jobs, others may prioritize higher hourly pay without benefits. When negotiating hourly rates, understanding local market demands and potential benefits can significantly influence the final agreement.
More salary data for Stockton, 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 Stockton. 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