Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters Salary in California (2026)

Official state-level BLS pay data for Helpers--Pipelayers, Plumbers, Pipefitters, and Steamfitters in California, plus how it compares with the rest of the country.

Official BLS state wage data · Unknown vintage
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 levelAnnual salaryHourly 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:

RankStateMedian salary
1Washington$56,140
2Hawaii$52,000
3New York$52,000
4Maine$48,410
5Arizona$47,990

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.