Plumber salary in San Diego, CA
Median pay, San Diego metro
$72,510/year
about $34.86 an hour full-time
Middle half earns $61,390 – $94,480
Half of plumbers in the San Diego metro area earn more than $72,510 a year and half earn less. That's 14% higher than the national median of $63,800, and ranks #12 of the 30 big metro areas we track for this job.
Pay range
| Percentile | Yearly | Hourly* |
|---|---|---|
| 10th (entry level) | $46,030 | $22.13 |
| 25th | $61,390 | $29.51 |
| Median (50th) | $72,510 | $34.86 |
| 75th | $94,480 | $45.42 |
| 90th (top earners) | $127,790 | $61.44 |
*Yearly pay divided by 2,080 hours (40 hours × 52 weeks), the full-time basis BLS uses.
Is your offer fair?
For a plumber job in the San Diego metro area, here's how an offer compares:
- Below market under $61,390 ($29.51/hr). Fine for a first job in the field, otherwise worth negotiating.
- Typical $61,390 to $94,480 ($29.51 to $45.42/hr). The middle half of what people in this job earn.
- Strong offer over $94,480 ($45.42/hr). Higher than three quarters of workers here.
Before you accept
- Pay usually rises with license level (apprentice, journeyman, master). Make sure the offer matches yours.
- Ask whether service calls pay commission or bonuses on top of the hourly rate.
- Check whether a company vehicle, tools and on-call pay are included.
Also watch for the common warning signs in the posting itself: 15 job posting red flags.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, 2025, San Diego metro. Occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters (SOC 47-2152). Figures cover wage and salary workers and don't include bonuses, benefits or overtime.