40h normalized salary comparison

Plumber Salary in Los Angeles

Average Plumber salary in Los Angeles on a 40h basis 64,535 $ 5,378 $ gross/month · 31.03 $ gross/hour
Full-time salary range/year 37,200 $ – 99,556 $
Full-time salary range/month 3,100 $ – 8,296 $
Based on 28 salary reports

The average salary for a Plumber in Los Angeles is 64,535 $ per year on a 40-hour full-time equivalent, or 5,378 $ gross per month and 31.03 $ gross per hour. The reported full-time salary range is 37,200 $ to 99,556 $. The analysis is based on 28 salary reports from workers and employers in Los Angeles. Part-time salaries are proportionally converted to 40 weekly hours so the values are comparable.

Reports 28
Minimum 40h 37,200 $
Avg. gross/year 40h 64,535 $
Avg. Gross/month 40h 5,378 $
Avg. gross/hour 40h 31.03 $
Maximum 40h 99,556 $

Minimum, average and maximum values on a 40h basis

Trend over time on a 40h basis

Individual reported salaries

Date Job title Weekly hours Reported gross/year Normalized to 40h/year Gross/month 40h Gross/hour 40h Note
06/10/2026 Plumber 40.0 h 64,000 $ 64,000 $ 5,333 $ 30.77 $ I returned to full-time field work after a stint doing administrative work. I have about ten years of experience and work standard full-time hours for service calls.
04/29/2026 Plumber 42.0 h 98,000 $ 93,333 $ 7,778 $ 44.87 $ I am a director of field operations overseeing multiple crews while still doing technical oversight on specialized installs. My hours are typically in the low 40s.
01/20/2026 Plumber 45.0 h 112,000 $ 99,556 $ 8,296 $ 47.86 $ I run a mid-sized service company and take on the toughest commercial contracts; my role combines field work, client relations, and management, so I often hit 45 hours.
09/09/2025 Plumber 28.0 h 52,000 $ 74,286 $ 6,190 $ 35.71 $ I took a part-time position to balance family obligations. I average about 28 hours per week doing residential repairs and have eight years experience.
06/02/2025 Plumber 40.0 h 72,000 $ 72,000 $ 6,000 $ 34.62 $ I work full-time as a commercial service plumber with 12+ years' experience. My pay increased due to demand and cost-of-living adjustments over recent years.
03/15/2025 Plumber 40.0 h 83,000 $ 83,000 $ 6,917 $ 39.90 $ I'm a highly experienced plumbing technician specializing in hydro-jetting and drain rehabilitation. Full-time role with premium pay for specialty skills.
11/04/2024 Plumber 44.0 h 96,000 $ 87,273 $ 7,273 $ 41.96 $ I am a senior operations manager for field services at a large contractor. My role includes administrative responsibilities and site supervision; hours are often in the low 40s.
06/23/2024 Plumber 34.0 h 68,000 $ 80,000 $ 6,667 $ 38.46 $ I transitioned to a part-time maintenance role for a property management group and work about 34 hours per week. I have over a decade of experience.
02/11/2024 Plumber 45.0 h 90,000 $ 80,000 $ 6,667 $ 38.46 $ I own and run a small plumbing business and typically work long hours managing projects, clients, and field techs. My schedule often reaches 45 hours a week.
10/05/2023 Plumber 42.0 h 82,500 $ 78,571 $ 6,548 $ 37.77 $ I am a project lead for commercial retrofit projects. Management duties and overtime push my hours into the low 40s; I've been in the industry about 15 years.
05/18/2023 Plumber 40.0 h 78,000 $ 78,000 $ 6,500 $ 37.50 $ I was promoted to foreman and handle scheduling and client coordination while still doing field work. I work a standard full-time schedule with added responsibilities.
01/27/2023 Plumber 40.0 h 74,500 $ 74,500 $ 6,208 $ 35.82 $ I work as a senior installer on large remodel projects with about 14 years in the trade. Full-time, higher pay reflects experience and specialized certifications.
08/14/2022 Plumber 40.0 h 70,000 $ 70,000 $ 5,833 $ 33.65 $ I've been a journeyman for 13 years and moved into commercial service with higher responsibility. Full-time; I also mentor apprentices but don't have formal management duties.
03/30/2022 Plumber 30.0 h 48,000 $ 64,000 $ 5,333 $ 30.77 $ I work part-time (about 30 hours) doing service calls while running a small side business. I have roughly seven years' experience and chose reduced hours for flexibility.
11/22/2021 Plumber 40.0 h 65,500 $ 65,500 $ 5,458 $ 31.49 $ I took on a lead technician role at a mid-sized company in 2021. I handle complex installs and coordinate subcontractors, working full-time and occasionally guiding teams.
05/06/2021 Plumber 40.0 h 62,000 $ 62,000 $ 5,167 $ 29.81 $ I am a senior plumber with about 12 years' experience working on larger commercial projects. Full-time role with occasional oversight of junior plumbers.
12/15/2020 Plumber 30.0 h 41,000 $ 54,667 $ 4,556 $ 26.28 $ I was working part-time during 2020 while taking classes toward my journeyman license. I averaged about 30 hours per week doing residential service.
09/03/2020 Plumber 40.0 h 58,500 $ 58,500 $ 4,875 $ 28.13 $ During 2020 I worked full-time for a small construction contractor doing new builds. I had around eleven years experience and did some site leadership.
04/14/2020 Plumber 40.0 h 56,000 $ 56,000 $ 4,667 $ 26.92 $ I transitioned to a specialty role focusing on medical gas systems. I work full-time and have about ten years of experience; the certification increased my pay.
11/20/2019 Plumber 37.0 h 53,800 $ 58,162 $ 4,847 $ 27.96 $ I work part of the week on scheduled maintenance and part on emergency calls; I'm essentially full-time at 37 hours and have nine years in the trade.
07/09/2019 Plumber 40.0 h 52,000 $ 52,000 $ 4,333 $ 25.00 $ I'm a journeyman plumber with about eight years of hands-on experience. Full-time job, mostly commercial service and light supervision of apprentices.
02/26/2019 Plumber 40.0 h 49,500 $ 49,500 $ 4,125 $ 23.80 $ I work for a mid-sized contractor doing both new construction and service. I have seven years of experience and handle more complex systems than earlier in my career.
09/18/2018 Plumber 40.0 h 46,800 $ 46,800 $ 3,900 $ 22.50 $ I moved into a commercial service role with about six years experience. This is full time with consistent day shifts; I don't have direct reports.
03/12/2018 Plumber 37.5 h 43,500 $ 46,400 $ 3,867 $ 22.31 $ I work in multi-family repair and maintenance as a mid-level plumber. I've been here five years; it's full-time but hours sometimes vary with emergencies.
10/10/2017 Plumber 40.0 h 41,250 $ 41,250 $ 3,438 $ 19.83 $ I'm a general plumber at a small shop with around four years experience. Full-time position, mostly service calls and smaller remodel jobs.
05/21/2017 Plumber 38.0 h 39,000 $ 41,053 $ 3,421 $ 19.74 $ I work as a residential service plumber with about three years of experience. I do full-time hours and handle most service calls on my own but am not in a management role.
11/02/2016 Plumber 40.0 h 37,200 $ 37,200 $ 3,100 $ 17.88 $ I was hired as an entry-level residential plumber two years ago. I work full time on a small crew handling repairs and installations; I don't supervise anyone.
08/15/2016 Plumber 35.0 h 34,500 $ 39,429 $ 3,286 $ 18.96 $ I'm an apprentice with about one year on the job doing residential service calls and assisting journeymen. This is a full-time position and I work typical day shifts.

Job Outlook for Plumbers in Los Angeles, California

Plumbers in Los Angeles, California, benefit from a large, year-round market shaped by an aging building stock, steady new construction, and ongoing infrastructure upgrades. The Los Angeles metro area includes dense urban neighborhoods, major hospitals and campuses, entertainment facilities, and one of the world’s busiest airports—factors that typically keep demand for skilled plumbing professionals consistent across residential, commercial, and industrial settings.

Locally, employers often look for plumbers who can navigate California’s plumbing code and Los Angeles Department of Building and Safety permitting, as well as evolving priorities around water conservation and building decarbonization. The City of Los Angeles has moved to limit most natural gas in new buildings, which can shift some work toward heat pump water heaters and other electrified systems. At the same time, drought cycles and conservation rebates encourage low-flow fixtures, graywater systems, and leak detection technology—areas where experienced plumbers can add immediate value.

Labor Market

The regional labor market for plumbers is typically steady, with hiring tied to service needs, tenant improvements, school and hospital modernizations, and large capital projects. Los Angeles has widespread seismic retrofit and modernization activity, particularly in hospitals and essential facilities, which can require complex plumbing, medical gas, and backflow work. Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) construction continues across the city, generally boosting demand for residential rough-in and finish plumbing.

Public agencies and union halls report ongoing replacement needs as veteran tradespeople retire, and many contractors note that journey-level plumbers with commercial, industrial, or medical gas experience can be hard to find. OSHA-10/30 safety training, ASSE medical gas installer credentials, and backflow tester certifications recognized by local water agencies such as the Los Angeles Department of Water and Power (LADWP) are often viewed favorably. In California, plumbing contractors must hold the CSLB C-36 license; many hands-on roles in Los Angeles are filled by union-trained journeymen through UA Local 78 or by graduates of accredited apprenticeship programs, including those affiliated with PHCC in Greater Los Angeles.

Major Employers

Plumbers in Los Angeles are hired by a broad mix of public-sector organizations, healthcare systems, universities, building owners, and mechanical contractors. Examples include:

  • City of Los Angeles (general services, recreation and parks, airports) and Los Angeles World Airports (LAX) for facilities maintenance and capital projects.
  • Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) Maintenance & Operations for campus plumbing and modernization work.
  • County of Los Angeles departments, including Public Works and the Department of Health Services facilities such as LAC+USC Medical Center.
  • UCLA and USC Facilities Management for residential halls, laboratories, and clinical buildings.
  • Cedars-Sinai Medical Center and Kaiser Permanente Los Angeles Medical Center for hospital maintenance and expansions.
  • ACCO Engineered Systems (Glendale) and Murray Company (Carson/Rancho Dominguez area) for large commercial and industrial projects.
  • Southland Industries (Southern California operations) and other major MEP contractors active around the region.
  • Residential and light-commercial service providers such as Mike Diamond Services, Rooter Hero Plumbing, ARS/Rescue Rooter, and Roto-Rooter’s Los Angeles branches.

Entertainment and tourism also shape the market. Studios, theme parks, hotels, and venues commonly run extensive facilities that require ongoing plumbing maintenance and upgrades, particularly as properties prepare for international events leading up to 2028.

Career Opportunities

Plumbers in Los Angeles can build careers across multiple paths:

  • Service and Maintenance: Year-round demand in residential and commercial buildings for diagnostics, repairs, and retrofits, including water conservation upgrades and smart leak detection.
  • Commercial Construction: High-rise housing, hotels, schools, life-science labs, and hospital projects often seek plumbers with experience in copper, cast iron, and PEX systems, as well as reading coordinated BIM models.
  • Healthcare and Specialty Systems: Work on medical gas, sterilization systems, and code-driven hospital upgrades usually favors plumbers with ASSE medical gas credentials and strong documentation skills.
  • Public Infrastructure and Institutions: City and county roles can include pump stations, sewer rehabilitation, backflow prevention, and campus modernization under multi-year capital programs.
  • Water Efficiency and Electrification: Opportunities are growing in heat pump water heater conversions, graywater and rainwater capture, and CALGreen-compliant retrofits.

Overall, the outlook for plumbers in Los Angeles is generally positive. A combination of aging infrastructure, strict local codes, and a large pipeline of modernization and facility projects supports steady hiring. Professionals who stay current with California Plumbing Code updates, safety training, and specialized certifications—while gaining experience on complex commercial or healthcare jobs—tend to be well-positioned in the Los Angeles market.

Frequently Asked Questions about Plumber in Los Angeles

How much does a Plumber make in Los Angeles?

The average salary for a Plumber in Los Angeles is 64,535 $ per year on a 40-hour basis, or 5,378 $ gross per month.

Why are salaries converted to 40 hours?

Part-time and full-time reports are normalized to a 40-hour workweek so salary reports can be compared fairly.

Where can I find more salary comparisons for Plumber or Los Angeles?

You can find more comparisons on the profession overview for Plumber and the city overview for Los Angeles. They show reported cities or jobs with their difference from the average.