Plumber Salary in San Diego
Metro area wage data from the BLS OEWS program (May 2025), with Davis-Bacon journey-level scale from UA Local 230, effective September 2025.
Wage figures reflect all plumbers across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master.
Military construction, California prevailing wage, and a district-wide master agreement shape the San Diego plumber market.
San Diego operates under the same Southern California Pipe Trades District Council No. 16 master agreement as Los Angeles, with UA Local 230 covering the market. Plumber and pipefitter classifications share an identical rate under this agreement, confirmed against the underlying wage determination. California's prevailing wage law applies to public projects, and military and defense facility construction alongside a growing biotech sector sustain above-average demand. The CBA carries tiered rates for different project types including a distinct military installation tier.
- →UA Local 230 - San Diego and Imperial Counties
- →California prevailing wage on public and defense facility projects
- →Military and biotech construction sustain above-average demand
- →Plumber and Pipefitter classifications share one CBA rate
UA Local 230 journeyman plumber Journey-Level Rate
Union scale reflects the UA Local 230 journeyman plumber journey-level rate from the applicable Davis-Bacon wage determination. The BLS area median reflects all plumbers across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Union Pipe Trades Training Center |
| Address | 8616 Cuyamaca St, Santee, CA 92071 |
| Phone | (619) 262-7589 |
| Website | ualocal230.org |
| Minimum Score | No minimum |
Applying to UA Local 230?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UA Local 230. See what to expect and how to prepare.
What to expect →All plumbers, union and non-union, all experience levels
All plumbers, union and non-union, all experience levels. Wage figures only, employer-paid benefits, pension contributions, and health and welfare are not included.
| Annual Median Wage | $72,510 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $78,580 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $34.86 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $37.78 |
| Total Employed | 5,100 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates below are sourced from Davis-Bacon wage determinations, state prevailing wage determinations, or, where a local publishes one directly, its own collective bargaining agreement. Union density and market conditions vary significantly by region.
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 - SOC 47-2152 (Plumbers and Pipefitters) - Cross-Industry, All Ownership
Cost of living data provided by the Missouri Economic Research and Information Center (MERIC). The data has been modified for use from its original source, which is the State of Missouri. THE STATE OF MISSOURI MAKES NO REPRESENTATIONS OR WARRANTY AS TO THE COMPLETENESS, ACCURACY, TIMELINESS, OR CONTENT OF ANY DATA MADE AVAILABLE THROUGH THIS SITE. THE STATE OF MISSOURI EXPRESSLY DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, WHETHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING ANY IMPLIED WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, OR FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. Data is subject to change as modifications and updates are complete. Use at your own risk.