Plumber Salary in California
Install, maintain, and repair pipes, fixtures, and other plumbing equipment used for water distribution and waste disposal in residential, commercial, and industrial buildings.
California Plumber Wages at a Glance
California plumbers earn a statewide median of $68,390 per year ($32.88 per hour), up 18.6% from May 2019, with the middle of the wage range running from $45,480 at the 10th percentile to $126,790 at the 90th.
California employs approximately 45,460 plumbers statewide, down 4.0% from May 2019.
Median Wages by Metro
| Metro | Annual median | Hourly | Employment | 5-yr wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $90,220 | $43.37/hr | 2,230 | up 24.0% |
| San Francisco | $71,700 | $34.47/hr | 7,090 | down 7.8% |
| Bakersfield | $71,360 | $34.31/hr | 860 | up 33.5% |
| San Diego | $66,130 | $31.79/hr | 5,530 | up 19.7% |
| Santa Rosa | $65,960 | $31.71/hr | 660 | down 10.9% |
| Los Angeles | $65,110 | $31.30/hr | 13,440 | up 28.7% |
| Salinas | $64,580 | $31.05/hr | 380 | up 16.8% |
| Sacramento | $63,800 | $30.67/hr | 3,370 | up 11.0% |
| Visalia | $62,690 | $30.14/hr | 430 | up 22.7% |
| Fresno | $61,990 | $29.80/hr | 1,030 | up 28.9% |
| Stockton | $61,970 | $29.79/hr | 570 | down 12.4% |
| Oxnard | $61,660 | $29.65/hr | 920 | up 6.2% |
| Riverside | $61,640 | $29.63/hr | 4,530 | up 11.8% |
| Modesto | $61,310 | $29.48/hr | 520 | down 4.2% |
| Santa Maria | $60,790 | $29.23/hr | 660 | down 2.2% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2019 and May 2024.
California Plumber Apprenticeships
Most plumbers enter the field through a registered apprenticeship: typically 4 to 5 years of paid on-the-job training combined with classroom hours.
Browse registered plumber apprenticeship sponsors in California →