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 $72,830 per year ($35.01 per hour), up 18.4% from May 2020, with the middle of the wage range running from $47,350 at the 10th percentile to $131,100 at the 90th.
California employs approximately 47,660 plumbers statewide, up 9.5% from May 2020.
Median Wages by Metro
| Metro | Annual median | Hourly | Employment | 5-yr wage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Jose | $107,560 | $51.71/hr | 3,830 | up 48.7% |
| San Francisco | $77,880 | $37.44/hr | 5,660 | down 29.8% |
| San Diego | $72,510 | $34.86/hr | 5,100 | up 22.3% |
| Los Angeles | $71,110 | $34.19/hr | 15,690 | up 27.5% |
| Bakersfield | $66,450 | $31.95/hr | 960 | up 15.2% |
| Sacramento | $65,210 | $31.35/hr | 3,120 | up 12.8% |
| Santa Rosa | $64,700 | $31.11/hr | 560 | down 7.3% |
| Salinas | $64,440 | $30.98/hr | 320 | up 17.8% |
| Fresno | $64,400 | $30.96/hr | 970 | up 27.0% |
| Riverside | $63,920 | $30.73/hr | 4,510 | up 13.2% |
| Modesto | $63,280 | $30.42/hr | 470 | down 6.6% |
| Stockton | $62,900 | $30.24/hr | 690 | down 19.3% |
| Oxnard | $62,300 | $29.95/hr | 1,230 | up 8.7% |
| Santa Maria | $61,000 | $29.33/hr | 740 | down 10.7% |
| Visalia | $60,720 | $29.19/hr | 460 | up 2.6% |
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics, May 2020 and May 2025.
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 →