Plumber Salary in San Francisco
Metro area wage data for plumbers and pipefitters from the BLS OEWS program, May 2025.
Wage figures reflect all plumbers across all employment types, union and non-union, residential and commercial, apprentice through master. Union journeymen typically earn above the area median. Non-union residential work typically falls below it.
UA Local 38 and California prevailing wage define one of the highest-earning plumber markets in the country.
The Bay Area plumber market runs through UA Local 38, whose two-tier CBA sets rates that reflect the region's extreme labor costs. California's prevailing wage law applies to public projects, and the region's density of commercial construction, tech campus buildout, and infrastructure work sustains strong demand. Cost of living is the primary offset to the region's above-national-median nominal wage.
- →UA Local 38 — Joseph P. Mazzola Training Centers
- →California prevailing wage on public and many commercial projects
- →Cost of living among the highest in the country
UA Local 38 journeyman plumber Journey-Level Rate
Union scale reflects the UA Local 38 journeyman plumber journey-level rate under the current collective bargaining agreement. The BLS area median reflects all plumbers across all employment types and experience levels.
| Training Center | Joseph P. Mazzola Training Centers |
| Address | 2660 Newhall Street, San Francisco, CA 94124 |
| Phone | (415) 562-3838 |
| Minimum Score | No minimumWritten exam; 70% or higher required to advance to oral interview |
| Application Window | Annual, typically June; 30–45 days notice prior to opening — confirm current dates at ualocal38.org |
| Retake Policy | Eligibility list active 2 years; must reapply and retest if not called within that window |
Applying to UA Local 38?
The aptitude test is required for all applicants to UA Local 38. 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 | $77,880 |
| Annual Mean Wage | $92,380 |
| Hourly Median Wage | $37.44 |
| Hourly Mean Wage | $44.41 |
| Total Employed | 5,660 |
| Area Type | Metropolitan Area |
Journey-level rates sourced directly from local collective bargaining agreements across the country's major construction markets. 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.