SOC 47-3015 · May 2025 · BLS OEWS
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters — San Diego
San Diego-Chula Vista-Carlsbad, CA · 7 metro areas compared
The median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in San Diego, CA is $46,940 per year, 10.8% above the national median of $42,360.
Wage distribution · annual
Shaded band holds the middle 50% of earners
Salary overview
The median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in San Diego, CA is $46,940 per year, 10.8% above the national median of $42,360. Half of workers earn between $41,150 and $52,010. Beyond that band, the tenth percentile sits at $39,600 and the ninetieth at $62,940.
Within the state, Santa Maria records the highest median at $63,210. Of the 671 occupations with published wages in this area, it sits 542nd.
Percentile breakdown
| Percentile | Annual | vs US median |
|---|---|---|
| 10th | $39,600 | −6.5% |
| 25th | $41,150 | −2.9% |
| Median (50th) | $46,940 | +10.8% |
| 75th | $52,010 | +22.8% |
| 90th | $62,940 | +48.6% |
| Mean | $47,700 | +12.6% |
Other metro areas in California
| # | Metro area | Median | Jobs | Relative |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Santa Maria | $63,210 | 90 | |
| 2 | San Francisco | $51,350 | 430 | |
| 3 | Los Angeles | $46,780 | 640 | |
| 4 | Oxnard | $46,010 | 100 | |
| 5 | Fresno | $44,190 | 70 | |
| 6 | Stockton | $40,300 | 50 | |
| 7 | Bakersfield | $39,080 | 110 |
What the pay is worth locally
Prices in San Diego run 10.7% above the national average, so the median of $46,940 buys what $42,403 would elsewhere in the country. Measured that way the gap against the national median narrows to 0.1% above the national median in real terms.
Published median
$46,940as reported by BLSLocal price level
110.7US average = 100 · BEA 2024Adjusted for local prices
$42,403US average = 100 · BEA 2024Key takeaways
- Median pay is $46,940 a year, 10.8% above the national median.
- Published pay spans $39,600 to $62,940 between the tenth and ninetieth percentiles.
- The highest-paying metro area covered is Santa Maria, at $63,210.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median wage for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in San Diego, CA?
The median annual wage is $46,940, or $22.57 per hour, as of May 2025. Half of the workers in this occupation earn more than that and half earn less.
Is that higher than the national average?
The national median for this occupation is $42,360, so pay in San Diego, CA is 10.8% higher. These figures are medians, not averages: half of workers fall on each side.
What do the top earners make?
The top tenth of this occupation in San Diego, CA earns more than $62,940 per year. The ninetieth percentile is the highest figure the survey publishes.
What is the starting range?
The tenth percentile wage is $39,600 per year. The survey measures wages actually paid rather than experience level, so this reflects the lowest-paid tenth rather than entry-level pay specifically.
Which area nearby pays the most?
The highest median for this occupation among the metro areas covered is in Santa Maria, at $63,210 per year.
Source and methodology
U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2025 Wages are for wage-and-salary workers; self-employed workers are not included. Salary Explorer is an independent project. It is not affiliated with, or endorsed by, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics or any government agency. Full methodology.
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