California Median
$47,130
per year
Hourly Rate
$22.66
based on 2,080 hrs/yr
vs National
+11% vs US median
US median $42,360
State Rank
#7 of 48
2,500 employed here
How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in California?
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters working in California earn a median salary of $47,130 per year, or about $22.66 per hour. That is 11% above the national median of $42,360 for this occupation.
Within California, entry-level pay starts around $38,880 while the top 10% make $62,370 or more. The middle 50% of earners fall between $41,070 and $54,870 a year.
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary range in California
| Pay level | Annual salary | Hourly rate | |
| 10th percentile (entry level) | $38,880 | $18.69 |
|
| 25th percentile (early career) | $41,070 | $19.75 |
|
| 50th percentile (median) | $47,130 | $22.66 |
|
| 75th percentile (experienced) | $54,870 | $26.38 |
|
| 90th percentile (top earners) | $62,370 | $29.99 |
|
How California compares
California ranks 7th out of 48 states and territories for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters pay. The top 5 best-paying states:
Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in other states
Washington $56,140Hawaii $52,000New York $52,000Maine $48,410Arizona $47,990Alaska $47,290Maryland $46,170New Hampshire $46,030Ohio $45,760District of Columbia $45,440Wyoming $45,250Colorado $45,030Oregon $44,800Nebraska $44,550Tennessee $44,550New Jersey $44,360Massachusetts $44,340North Carolina $43,710Utah $43,380Kentucky $43,330Michigan $42,810Indiana $42,240Pennsylvania $42,150Texas $41,950Wisconsin $41,670Montana $41,420Nevada $41,100Kansas $40,540Idaho $40,120New Mexico $40,100Oklahoma $40,080South Carolina $39,450Connecticut $38,930Illinois $38,300Virginia $38,190Iowa $37,870Georgia $37,730Arkansas $37,670Florida $37,560Alabama $37,440Mississippi $37,440Vermont $37,440Louisiana $37,380South Dakota $36,500Delaware $36,070West Virginia $35,930Missouri $34,630
Working as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in California
Nationally, about 44,000 people work as Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in the United States. A high school diploma is typically enough, with most skills learned on the job.
Considering a move? Compare California pay ($47,130) against the highest-paying state above, and weigh the difference against housing and everyday costs — a smaller paycheck in a cheaper state can stretch further.
Frequently asked questions
How much do Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters make in California?
The median Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary in California is $47,130 per year, or about $22.66 per hour, per official BLS state wage estimates. Salaries typically range from $38,880 at the entry level to $62,370 for the top 10% of earners.
How does California pay compare to the national average?
California pays Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters about 11% more than the national median of $42,360. California ranks 7th out of 48 states and territories reporting this occupation.
Is California a good state for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters?
Yes on pay — California pays above the national median for this occupation, at $47,130 a year. About 2,500 Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters are employed in California. Weigh that against local housing and living costs before moving.
What are the highest-paying jobs in California?
The highest-paying occupations in California include Ophthalmologist, Except Pediatric ($400,150), Neurologist ($357,080), Airline Pilots, Copilots, and Flight Engineers ($353,900), based on median annual pay in official BLS state estimates.
← See the national Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters salary report
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Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OEWS), Unknown vintage. Education requirements: O*NET (U.S. Department of Labor). State figures are official BLS state-level wage estimates. Where BLS suppresses a state percentile, it is scaled from the official national distribution. Individual pay varies by employer, metro area, and experience.