Plumber Salary in Los Angeles, CA: $72,902 (2026)
Quick Answer:A full-time plumber in Los Angeles, CA earns a median $72,902/year (≈ $35.05/hour) in nominal terms for 2026 — projected from BLS OEWS 2025 (SOC 47-2152). Once you factor in Los Angeles's price level (14% above national, BEA RPP 113.6), that paycheck buys what $64,194 would nationally. Nominal pay sits 11.2% above the California state average.
Official BLS data · View source
Plumbers in Los Angeles can anticipate a median annual salary of $72,902 in 2026, outpacing the national median of $65,408 by a notable margin. The projected salary range for this profession spans from $47,251 at the 10th percentile to $128,232 at the 90th percentile, indicating substantial income potential for those at the top of the field. These figures stem from official Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) OEWS surveys, showing that the market for plumber salary in Los Angeles is robust and competitive. The landscape for plumbers in LA reflects not only the heightened demand due to aging infrastructure but also the substantial differences in pay structures, particularly between union and non-union work, a critical factor for professionals deciding on their career paths in the city.
Salary Breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | Hourly |
|---|---|---|
| Entry Level (P10) | $47,251 | $22.72 |
| Lower Range (P25) | $60,036 | $28.86 |
| Median (P50)(typical) | $72,902 | $35.05 |
| Upper Range (P75) | $103,853 | $49.93 |
| Top Earners (P90) | $128,232 | $61.66 |
Median Salary Position
11.46% above the national average
2026 Salary Percentile Distribution in Los Angeles
In Los Angeles, CA, the plumber salary spread from the 10th to 90th percentile is $80,981 (2026 est.). At $72,902, the local median is 11.46% above the national median of $65,408.
Salary Calculator
At 40 hours/week in Los Angeles: You'd be in the lower-middle range
How Los Angeles Plumber Pay Compares
Los Angeles median: $72,902/year (2026)
| Compared To | Median Salary | Los Angeles Pays |
|---|---|---|
| California Average | $65,559 | +11.20% more |
| National Average | $65,408 | +11.46% more |
Plumbers in Los Angeles, CA earn a median of $72,902 per year (2026 est.), which is 11.46% higher than the national median of $65,408 and 11.20% above the California state average of $65,559.
Cost-of-Living Adjusted Salary
Los Angeles has a cost of living 13.57% above the national average.
Adjusted salary = nominal × (100 / CoL index). CoL index: 100 = national average.
Los Angeles, CA has a cost-of-living index of 113.566 (above the national average of 100). While the nominal salary of $72,902 is competitive, the higher cost of living reduces purchasing power to an effective $64,194 — a 11.94% reduction.
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2019 BLS Actual
$50,580
2025 BLS Actual
$71,110
2026 Current Est.
$72,902
2019–2027 Growth
+47.8%
Salary Trajectory for Plumbers in Los Angeles (2019–2027)
2019–2025: actual BLS OEWS data for this metro area. 2026+: CAGR 2.52% projection.
| Year | Annual Salary | Status |
|---|---|---|
| 2019 | $50,580 | Actual |
| 2020 | $55,760 | Actual |
| 2021 | $61,640 | Actual |
| 2022 | $61,740 | Actual |
| 2023 | $62,730 | Actual |
| 2024 | $65,110 | Actual |
| 2025 | $71,110 | Actual |
| 2026(current) | $72,902 | Estimated |
| 2027 | $74,739 | Projected |
Based on 7 years of BLS OEWS data for the Los Angeles metropolitan area, the median plumber salary grew 40.6% from $50,580 (2019) to $71,110 (2025). At a 2.52% compound annual growth rate, salaries are projected to reach $74,739 by 2027 — a total increase of $24,159 (47.76%) from 2019.
Note: Historical values (2019–2025) are actual BLS OEWS figures for the Los Angeles 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.
Salary by Experience Level
| Experience | Estimated Salary Range |
|---|---|
| 0-2 years (New Graduate) | $47,251 – $60,036 |
| 3-5 years (Mid Career) | $60,036 – $72,902 |
| 5+ years (Experienced) | $72,902 – $103,853 |
| 10+ years (Top Earner) | $103,853 – $128,232 |
Plumber salary ranges estimated from BLS percentile data. Individual plumber compensation varies by employer, certifications, and specialization.
Plumber Job Market in Los Angeles
With approximately 15,690 plumbers actively employed in the Los Angeles area, the local job market displays solid strength amid a rising cost of living index of 113.566. This reality underscores the importance of understanding take-home pay after factoring in living expenses. Unionized positions, particularly those affiliated with the UA (United Association), frequently offer higher compensation than their non-union counterparts across various sectors, including industrial maintenance or hospital plumbing roles that require specialized skills such as medical gas. Pay disparities are influenced by factors such as specialty work, mastery of licenses, and the commission structures common in large service companies like Roto-Rooter and ARS. For those looking to maximize plumber pay in Los Angeles CA, investing in advanced certifications, targeting high-demand specialties, and considering union membership may significantly enhance income prospects and job security within this thriving market.
More salary data for Los Angeles, CA:
Frequently Asked Questions
How much do plumbers make in Los Angeles, CA in 2026?
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Can plumbers make $100K in Los Angeles?
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Related Pages
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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
Salary figures on this page are 2026 projections based on the Bureau of Labor Statistics Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS) survey, May 2026 release. The BLS reported a median annual salary of $71,110 for plumbersin the Los Angeles metropolitan area. A 2.52% compound annual growth rate (CAGR), calculated from 6-year national BLS wage trends, was applied to project current 2026 compensation. Percentile ranges (P10–P90) represent the full salary distribution across experience levels and practice settings in this market.
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