Plumber pay in San Diego, CA
Plumbers in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earn a typical $72,510 a year. The middle half earn $61,390 to $94,480, and the top 10% earn more than $127,790. About 5,100 people do this job there.
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 (occupation: Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters, SOC 47-2152).
Pay range
| Bottom 10% earn less than | $46,030 |
| 25th percentile | $61,390 |
| Median (typical) | $72,510 |
| 75th percentile | $94,480 |
| Top 10% earn more than | $127,790 |
Typical pay here ranks No. 19 of 50 large metros for plumbers before taxes and prices.
After taxes and cost of living
At the typical $72,510, a single filer keeps about $57,300 a year after federal, Social Security, Medicare, and California state income tax. Prices in San Diego are 12% above the US average, so that take-home buys what $51,200 would in a typical US city. That ranks San Diego No. 32 of 50 large metros for plumbers after cost of living.
Where plumbers’ pay goes furthest
- Chicago, IL$103,380 typical · worth $73.9k
- Minneapolis, MN$101,630 typical · worth $71.5k
- San Jose, CA$107,560 typical · worth $71.3k
- Seattle, WA$95,230 typical · worth $68.2k
Where does your salary land?
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Common questions
How much does a plumber make in San Diego, CA?
The typical (median) plumber in the San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA metro area earns $72,510 a year. The middle half earn between $61,390 and $94,480, and the top 10% earn more than $127,790. Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025.
What is a good salary for a plumber in San Diego?
Anything above $72,510 pays more than half of plumbers in San Diego. $94,480 or more puts you in the top quarter, and $127,790 in the top 10%. Experience and employer move where you should be in that range.
How much does a plumber in San Diego take home after taxes?
At the typical $72,510, a single filer keeps about $57,300 a year ($4,770 a month) after federal, Social Security, Medicare, California state income tax. With local prices 12% above the US average, that buys what $51,200 would in a typical US city.
Where do plumbers get paid the most after cost of living?
Among the 50 largest US metros, typical plumber pay goes furthest after taxes and prices in Chicago, IL, Minneapolis, MN, San Jose, CA. San Diego, CA ranks No. 32.
More: Plumber pay in every large metro · Pay for other jobs in San Diego, CA
Local prices: BEA regional price parities, 2024. Updated November 2026.